Iraqi forces advance towards Kurdish provincial stronghold

The Iraqi Armed Forces continued their operations in the Kirkuk Governorate, Saturday, targeting the remaining towns under the control of the Kurdish Peshmerga in the eastern part of the province.

Led by their counter-terrorism units, the Iraqi Armed Forces pushed northeast of Kirkuk City, today, in a bid to reach the provincial border of the Suleimaniyeh Governorate.

The operation is geared to take control of Shamshamal (var. Chamchamal), which is a town located near the Suleimaniyeh Governorate’s provincial border with Kirkuk.

In response to this advance by the Iraqi forces, the Kurdish Peshmerga have begun withdrawing their troops from Chamchamal in order to avoid any conflicts with the government.