Peshmerga, Iraqi forces sign 5-point deal on Hawija military operation

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi troops and Kurdish Peshmerga on Sunday signed a deal regarding the military operation to retake the city of Hawija, which will be supported by the US-led coalition.

According to one of the conditions in the agreement, Peshmerga forces will not withdraw from areas they currently control.

The Peshmerga have also agreed to open the road to Iraqi troops in the south of Kirkuk, allowing them to mobilize on Hawija which has been occupied by the Islamic State (IS) since the mid-2014.

Thirdly, Peshmerga forces will open a civilian corridor for the anticipated influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing the conflict as Iraqi troops advance.

The agreement also notes that Peshmerga forces will provide logistical reinforcement and assistance to Iraqi forces.

The primary role of the Peshmerga forces in the battle will be to target IS bases with artillery support.

The Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi on Sep. 21 announced the first phase of the military offensive to retake Hawija, three years after it was overtaken by the jihadist group.

The first stage of the operation went ahead without the participation of the Peshmerga as the Iraqi forces liberated pockets and surrounding villages and town in the west of Hawija.

On Saturday, Iraqi troops declared they had retaken 25 villages and towns around Hawija as the first phase of the offensive ended.

Almost 325,000 people are living in Hawija, mostly of Sunni background. Many of Hawija's IDPs have fled to Kirkuk in the past years. The UN expects another 85,000 to flee as the operations ramp up.

Editing by G.H. Renaud