Kurdistan Region Warns of Possible Iraqi Forces Attack; Baghdad Denies

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has warned that the country's government forces are preparing for new attacks on the Peshmerga. The Iraqi army has denied these claims. On December 17, the Kurdistan Region warned that the central government forces are ready to launch new attacks on the Peshmerga. The news network "Kurdistan 24" reported the statement from the region, which stated that the army and the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi), along with federal police and another unit under the Ministry of Defense of Iraq, have sent forces around Makhmour to attack areas controlled by the Peshmerga. Makhmour is a city in Erbil, Iraq, which was part of the Nineveh province until 1991. The city's residents include Arabs and Kurds of Iraq, and it was briefly occupied by the group known as the Islamic State during their advances. The Kurdish forces of Iraq cleared the city of ISIS fighters and took control. Two months ago, clashes occurred between predominantly Shia militias of Iraq and the Peshmerga in this city. The statement released by the Kurdistan Region of Iraq stated, "We are concerned about the significant military reinforcements of Iraqi forces around Makhmour... with the aim of attacking Peshmerga positions." The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has called on the federal government to "refrain from provocative military advances." The Iraqi army has rejected the statement and warnings from the Kurdistan Region regarding the increase in forces. Reuters quoted a spokesperson for the Iraqi army stating that they have no plans to continue attacks that were carried out following the Kurdistan Region's referendum against the Peshmerga forces. The Kurdistan Region referendum was held in October last year, with over 92% of participants voting "yes" for independence. This referendum was conducted despite opposition from the central government, almost all neighboring countries of Iraq, European countries, the United States, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Israel supported this referendum. The Kurdistan Regional Government, led by Masoud Barzani, announced that the independence of Kurdistan could ultimately ensure the security of the Kurds. After the referendum, Iraqi central government forces launched attacks on some areas controlled by the Peshmerga, which were disputed between Baghdad and the region. Shortly after this attack, the oil-rich city of Kirkuk fell under the control of the Iraqi central government forces without resistance. Intense clashes also occurred in northwestern Iraq, where Kurdish Peshmerga were trying to maintain control over border crossings with Turkey and Syria and one of the main oil transfer facilities from Kurdistan through Turkey. Ultimately, the Kurdistan Regional Government announced in November that it had reached an agreement to stop the clashes with Baghdad. The Prime Minister of Iraq simultaneously emphasized that the result of the referendum should be declared "void" and Baghdad would not accept the Kurdistan Region's proposal for "suspension" of it. Masoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Region, resigned from his position on November 6. According to some reports, the independence referendum has led the central government of Iraq to adopt stricter policies towards the region, which has fueled tensions within the region. In this context, protesters have "set fire to" party offices and government buildings in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The Kurdistan Region accepted the Iraqi Supreme Court's ruling prohibiting separation. The significant drop in OPEC oil production is influenced by events in Iraq. The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region accused Baghdad of avoiding dialogue. Iran and Iraq signed a contract for the export of Kirkuk oil.