Kirkuk-based Hewal nespaper has recently published an article stating that representatives of a Turkish-backed gang group in Syria came to Kirkuk recently to meet with officials from the Iraqi Turkmen Front.

The gangs arrived at Kirkuk via Turkey, and met with officials from the Turkmen National Movement and Turkmen Martyrs Committee. The gang members stayed at the guesthouse of Ershad Salihi, president of the Iraqi Turkmen Front that is known for its close relations with the Turkish Intelligence MİT.

According to the report, Ershad Salihi’s brother has been invited to join an entity organized by Turkey, and "conditions of the Turkmens in South Kurdistan, Iraq, Rojava and Syria were discussed during the meeting".

The mentioned gangs are working affiliated with Turkey and many political, military, intelligence and press figures have visited the Iraqi Turkmen Front and held talks with Turkmen leaders recently, according to the article on Hewal.

The report did not mention how these gangs that work with Turkey and occupy an area stretching from Rojava to al-Bab, are granted access to Kirkuk.