Skip to main content

Not everyone in Iraq welcomes peshmerga's possible return to Kirkuk

As Iraq's central and Kurdish governments tentatively make nice again, the potential return of the Kurdish peshmerga to Kirkuk has some groups in the country on edge.
RTSKFGY.jpg

Iraq's central government in Baghdad and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in Erbil agreed to establish a joint security checkpoint on the main Erbil-Kirkuk road, which is being repaired. The agreement marks the first such arrangement between the two sides since the Iraqi army reclaimed the disputed Kirkuk area from the Kurdish peshmerga (militia) in bloody confrontations in October.

The Aug. 9 agreement is part of a larger deal that includes a temporary iron bridge just completed Aug. 16 in the town of Altun Kupri on the Erbil-Kirkuk road, to replace the structure that was heavily damaged in the Oct. 16 clashes. Completing the bridge now allows further repairs to the road, which authorities expect to open in time for Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice) holiday that begins Aug. 21.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.