German FM calls for cessation of military action to avoid further escalation in Kirkuk

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The conflict between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq is giving Germany ‘the greatest cause of concern,’ according to a German official on Tuesday.

“There is no reason why anyone should believe that there is a military solution to the tensions in Iraq that have flared up in recent days. I made this clear in a telephone call to Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al‑Abadi yesterday,” German Foreign Minister Gabriel Sigmar stated.

Tensions between Erbil-Baghdad have worsened lately in the aftermath of the Sep. 25 referendum on independence for the Kurdistan Region. Iraqi Forces and the Iranian-backed Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi militia on Monday assailed the city of Kirkuk which had been under the protection of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces since mid-2014.

“An escalation weakens all sides and, above all, threatens to destabilize Iraq and the region in the long term,” Sigmar continued. “In this tense situation, we call on all parties to exercise restraint and to engage in direct talks. Military actions must be ceased immediately, and further escalation avoided.”

The German official called on all parties to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and in a peaceful manner.

He also noted that the fight against the Islamic State (IS) must remain the top priority. “What is currently at stake, however, is nothing less than the future of the entire country and the security of the region.”

Kirkuk is a multi-ethnic city in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, comprised of Turkmen, Arabs, and Christians groups and a Kurdish majority.

Monday's assault on Kirkuk led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people to the neighboring Erbil and Sulaimani provinces, in fear of human rights abuses and violations at the hands of the militia groups.

Editing by G.H. Renaud