Kurdistan Security Council releases evidence of Iraqi military buildup in Makhmour

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) on Wednesday released footage confirming the military build-up of Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militias southwest of Erbil.

“Iraqi military buildup in and around Makhmour, South West Erbil, has continued for over a week,” said the KRSC on its official Twitter account. “In this position, armored vehicles and Humvees have been deployed.”

Iraqi military buildup in and around Makhmour, South West Erbil, has continued for over a week. In this position, armored vehicles and Humvees have been deployed. pic.twitter.com/J2d5cOZZFb

— KR Security Council (@KRSCPress) December 20, 2017

The video below shows aerial footage dated Dec. 18 over the same position: 35.77215, 43.58814. More imagery from other positions will follow according to the KRSC. 

On Monday, the KRSC warned that the Iraqi armed forces were preparing an attack against Peshmerga forces near Makhmour.

“We are alarmed by significant Iraqi military buildup in the vicinity of Makhmour, Southwest of Erbil, in preparation for an attack on nearby Peshmerga positions,” the statement read.

“We call on the Federal Government of Iraq to stop its provocative military advances," the statement continued. "It is a gross violation of the Iraqi Constitution.”

On Tuesday, Islamic State (IS) militants took advantage of the current tensions between Erbil and Baghdad and launched an attack on the Makhmour-Gwer frontline in Qarachukh Mountain.

Sirwan Barzani, Head of the Makhmour-Gwer Peshmerga frontline, said IS or militant groups similar to them would “exploit the weakness and lack of coordination between the Iraqi forces and Peshmerga,” warning the Iraqi government to “be aware of this danger.”