[title] Elite Iraqi forces recapture ‘vast areas’ of Kirkuk from Kurdish control
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/867023/iraq-army-capture-vast-areas-kirkuk-kurdish-military
IRAQI government forces took control of “vast areas” in the region of Kirkuk, including oilfields west of the city, in the early hours of today, Iraqi state TV said, but the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) disputed the assertions.
The elite, US-trained “Counter Terrorism Service, the 9th armoured division and Federal Police have taken control of vast areas of Kirkuk without confrontations”, it said, and oilfields and Kurdish military positions were captured.
However, a KRG security official denied that Iraqi forces were able to get closer to the city or take territory from the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.
The official told Reuters the oilfields and the air base west of Kirkuk were still under Kurdish control.
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[title] Iraqi Forces Said to Seize Oil Sites and Airport Outside Kirkuk
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/16/world/middleeast/kirkuk-iraq-kurds.html
[for me most important part]
Col. Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for the coalition in Baghdad, said all American forces in the area were watching the situation, but were out of the fighting. He said force protection measures had been imposed to ensure their safety.
[the article does explain who is doing what but I think Texas Fossil could help us out here with the truth.]
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And then, last but not least by any means,
[Title] Turkish jets hit PKK terror group in northern Iraq
http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkish-jets-hit-pkk-terror-group-in-northern-iraq/938851
Airstrikes destroy ammunition depots, weapon emplacement of terror group in Zap region, Turkish military says
I suspect it is true. BUT. It is by Iranian forces, masquerading as Iraqi forces.
“state-backed militias, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces”
Pro-Khamenei Iraqi PMF Militia Threatens United States
https://raddingtonreport.com/pro-khamenei-iraqi-pmf-militia-threatens-united-states/
This is what happens when Shia muslims control Baghdad. It is an Iranian protectorate now.
I suspect the US leaned on Erbil and Barzani to fall back instead of totally confront the “state militias”.
Consequences?
We wait.