UN calls on Erbil, Baghdad to avoid clashes, violence
October 17 2017
10:07 AM
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday UN Secretary General António Guterres is following the events in Kirkuk “extremely closely

He called on both the Kurdish and Iraqi governments “to do whatever they can to ensure de-escalation and avoid any further clashes or violence

The UN officials said that thousands of people have already fled the governorate because of the Monday clashes between the Iraqi-backed forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga

On Monday, the Pentagon urged the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdish authorities to negotiate their differences

A Pentagon spokesman, Col. Rob Manning, said Washington wants both sides to engage in dialogue

He added that US commanders in Iraq are trying to help mediate

An overnight curfew was imposed in Kirkuk on Monday. The curfew will start as of 7 PM on Monday until 7 PM on Tuesday.

Peshmerga forces have been fending off attacks launched by the Iraqi forces, backed by IMIS since Sunday night.

Tensions between the two sides over the future of Kurdistan have been high since the Kurds voted for independence in a September referendum.

The oil-rich Kirkuk Governorate has emerged as a flashpoint in the crisis as it is claimed by both sides. https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/18379/UN-calls-on-Erbil-Baghdad-to-avoid-clashes-violence