Iraq denies troops withdrawal from Kirkuk amid reports of IS attack

Iraq's Defense Ministry on Saturday denied reports that its federal police forces had withdrawn from the oil-rich Kirkuk Province.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Iraq’s Defense Ministry on Saturday denied reports that its federal police forces had withdrawn from the oil-rich Kirkuk Province.

Local media reports on Friday said federal police, who have been stationed to protect the province from terror, mainly from the Islamic State (IS), pulled out from the region amid reports of an imminent IS attack.

Photos and rumors circulated on social media showed alleged military sites in Kirkuk void of any Iraqi troops presence.

Kurdistan 24 was unable to verify the reports or images independently.

In an official statement, however, the Defense Ministry labeled the allegations “fabricated,” adding that security forces have not left their stations.

“Some social networking sites spread rumors and fabricated news about the withdrawal of the federal police and the rest of the security forces with them from the province of Kirkuk,” the statement read.

“The security forces are continuing their normal duties, and there is no withdrawal,” it added.

Since last October’s military takeover of Kirkuk and other disputed territories by Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militias, the security situation in the region has deteriorated.

Countless unclaimed kidnappings, bombings, and assassinations continue to occur in the province despite the presence of Iraqi troops.

The oil-rich province was previously under the protection of Kurdish Peshmerga forces when the Iraqi army collapsed following IS’ emergence in 2014.  

However, following an independence referendum last September, Baghdad led an offensive into the province and regained control, displacing thousands of people, mainly Kurds.

Kirkuk, long considered a symbol of coexistence before October’s assault, is home to a mixture of Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, and Christians.