Iraq: 9 killed in clashes near Mosul dam

By Ahmed Qasim

NINEVEH, Iraq

Nine people were killed in clashes between Peshmerga forces and a pro-government militia in northern Iraq early Wednesday, according to an Iraqi police officer.

The violence broke out after fighters of the Hashd al-Shaabi militia refused to heed Peshmerga warnings against advancing toward the Mosul Dam, Ali Akbar Khafaji said.

He said eight Hashd al-Shaabi fighters and a Peshmerga were killed in the confrontation.

“Though the clashes had stopped, neither [Hashd al-Shaabi] militia fighters nor Kurdish [Peshmerga] forces withdrew from their positions,” he said.

The violence comes amid tension between Baghdad and the Erbil-based Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) over last month’s illegitimate referendum for Kurdish independence.

On Monday, government forces captured the oil-rich Kirkuk city from Peshmerga forces and advanced to retake disputed areas held by the KRG.

By Ahmed Qasim

NINEVEH, Iraq

Nine people were killed in clashes between Peshmerga forces and a pro-government militia in northern Iraq early Wednesday, according to an Iraqi police officer.

The violence broke out after fighters of the Hashd al-Shaabi militia refused to heed Peshmerga warnings against advancing toward the Mosul Dam, Ali Akbar Khafaji said.

He said eight Hashd al-Shaabi fighters and a Peshmerga were killed in the confrontation.

“Though the clashes had stopped, neither [Hashd al-Shaabi] militia fighters nor Kurdish [Peshmerga] forces withdrew from their positions,” he said.

The violence comes amid tension between Baghdad and the Erbil-based Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) over last month’s illegitimate referendum for Kurdish independence.

On Monday, government forces captured the oil-rich Kirkuk city from Peshmerga forces and advanced to retake disputed areas held by the KRG.