IRAQI FORCES SEEK TO TAKE CONTROL OF KURDISH-HELD CHECKPOINT; POLICE

SULAIMANI – A Shia paramilitary group backed by Iraqi forces seeks to oust Kurdish security forces from a checkpoint located between Kalar and Jalawla in Garmyan, said a spokesman of Garmyan police on Saturday (December 2).

The Shia militia known as Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Iraqi forces have been carrying out security checks near the Kurdish-held checkpoint since they were deployed on Friday, Ali Qaduri told NRT.

“A force of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq first arrived at the Sheikh Bawa checkpoint on Friday and today several Iraqi forces were deployed there,” Qaduri said.

According to Qaduri, their attempts to resolve the issue through dialogue were refused by the Shia militia and Iraqi forces.

“[There is] no sign of willingness to have dialogue but to oust Garmyan police by force,” he added.

Qaduri further said they won’t leave the checkpoint under any pressure or threat from the Iraqi forces and Shia militia. No gunshots have been fired yet. 

Additional armed forces have been deployed to areas near Sheikh Bawa north of Jalawla district and they have been put on alert to prevent incursion by Iraqi forces and Shia militia, he added.

The deployment of Iraqi forces to the checkpoint near Kalar is likely another retaliation measure by the Iraqi government in opposition to the Kurdish independence referendum.