Erbil Governor says Kurdistan capital safe, urges media to report responsibly

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Governor of Erbil, Nawzad Hadi, declared that the capital of the Kurdistan Region is 'safe and secure' in spite of clashes that erupted Friday morning between Peshmerga Forces and the Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia in northern Kirkuk.

“What happened to other cities will not happen in Erbil,” Hadi said during a press conference on Friday, referring to the assault of Kirkuk on Oct. 16 by the Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia and Iraqi Forces.

He called on the media not to distort facts on the ground, which have raised concerns among people in Erbil and urged them to cover the events responsibly.

Hadi added that the clashes between the militia and Peshmerga Forces on the outskirts of Erbil were 'temporary,' and alluded to the recent statement by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) which welcomed Baghdad's request for dialogue.

“We assure the people of Erbil that there is no threat to the city,” the Governor affirmed.

“It is lamentable that the Hashd al-Shaabi now uses US weapons and military equipment against the people of the Kurdistan Region, weapons which were given to the Iraqi forces to defeat the Islamic State (IS).”

At 8:00 am on Friday morning, the Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia and Iraqi forces launched a large-scale offensive on the Peshmerga Forces in Pirde town, also known as Altun Kupri.

Peshmerga Forces destroyed over ten US military vehicles, including Humvees and Abrams tanks, in clashes in the south of Erbil, according to the Kurdish Forces' General Command.

Editing by G.H. Renaud