Local Sunni tribal fighters from southwestern Kirkuk province put on a show of unity with the Iraqi army and Shiite-led Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) operating in the area against the Islamic State (IS) on May 12 by gathering in mass, driving around in military vehicles, shooting into the air and inviting local journalists to film the scene.
As attacks continue on local forces in Sunni-majority southwestern Kirkuk, a transfer of 176 detainees arrested on terrorism charges from Sulaimaniyah to Kirkuk May 21 has drawn praise from some and wariness from others. Many of the detainees on the list, of which Al-Monitor has obtained a copy, are from Hawija and the surrounding villages.