Units of the Iraqi army and allied militias launched an offensive on the city of Kirkuk, occupied by Kurdish forces, the Peshmerga. Reported by the Associated Press.
The representative of Iraqi forces Ahmed al-Assadi said that they “reached all the goals” and control the outskirts of Kirkuk. According to Assadi, between government forces and Peshmerga clash occurred. About the injured and killed as a result of this clash is not reported. However, under the control of the attackers was taken by the airport and several oil fields.
In turn, representatives of the Peshmerga vowed that Baghdad will pay dearly if the troops try to enter directly in the city, according to Reuters. In a statement, the Kurds also accused a number of its former allies in betrayal.
September 25, Iraqi Kurds voted in the referendum for an independent state. The conduct of the voting caused a negative reaction in Baghdad. On 27 September, the Iraqi Parliament appealed to the Prime Minister Haider Abadi, a request to send army units in Kurdish-controlled province.
Kirkuk is a disputed territory. The authorities of the Autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan in fact, her control and considered Kurdish land, while the official Baghdad claims that Kirkuk was never part of Kurdistan.