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.