Reports of 'Gunfire Exchange' Around Kirkuk; Abadi's Statement on 'Cooperation' with Peshmerga

News agencies have reported artillery exchanges between Iraqi government forces and the Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Region near the city of Kirkuk. On the other hand, the Prime Minister of Iraq has called for the establishment of security in Kirkuk 'in cooperation with the Peshmerga.' AFP quotes several unnamed army and Kurdish Peshmerga commanders stating that artillery attacks have occurred between the two sides. The Associated Press also published a similar report citing local residents, witnesses, and pro-central government militias. The state television 'Al-Iraqiya' released a statement from Haider Abadi, the Prime Minister, directing federal forces to 'establish security in the city in cooperation with citizens and Peshmerga forces.' The Associated Press suggests that this statement may indicate Baghdad's willingness to participate in the administration of Kirkuk. Al-Iraqiya also reported that the army, federal anti-terror forces, and police would enter parts of the disputed areas on the outskirts of Kirkuk without confrontation. The Kurdistan Region's Security Council stated that government forces 'are seeking to control the K-1 airbase and oil wells.' Hours earlier, officials from the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Region announced that Iraqi forces had begun operations to control oil fields and the airbase early Monday, October 16. The Associated Press cited a police official from the Kurdistan Region stating that they still maintain control over the oil fields in the city. The Prime Minister's statement and the report from Al-Iraqiya were released shortly after a senior Iraqi army official stated, 'If we are forced, we will attack the city of Kirkuk itself.' In recent days, Kurdish sources have also reported the deployment of thousands of Peshmerga inside and around Kirkuk. The latest tensions in Iraq have escalated after the Kurdistan Regional Government held a symbolic referendum asking whether to declare independence. Over 90% of participants voted 'yes' for independence. The referendum was conducted despite opposition from the central government in Iraq, its neighbors, the UN Secretary-General, and the United States. On the other hand, the Kurdistan Region defended it, stating that ultimately independence would 'create security' for the Kurds. In recent days, the central government and the Kurdistan Region have warned each other, and there has been severe verbal exchanges between them. The referendum was held in three provinces under its control and in neighboring provinces, including Kirkuk. Baghdad has rejected any negotiations or actions to expand the territory of the region until the referendum results are declared void.