PM Barzani expresses condolences over killed Peshmerga commander
Zirari was a “fighter” and came from a “patriotic family”, Barzani wrote in the description of the commander.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday expressed his condolences over the death of a senior Peshmerga commander who has been recently killed in a skirmish with the Iraqi forces in Makhmour district.
Colonel Salih Zirari, the commander of the 8th Infantry Brigade, succumbed to his wounded early Thursday after he had sustained injuries as a result of a fight with the Iraqi army on Mount Qarachogh early this week.
“I express my deep condolences to the dear family of Colonel Salih Fatah Zirari,” Prime Minister Barzani wrote in a statement released by his office.
Zirari was a “fighter” and came from a “patriotic family”, Barzani wrote in the description of the commander.
At least three members of the Peshmerga forces have been killed as a result of the skirmish over a number of mountainous military outposts that had been recently deserted by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Makhmour district, which is part of the disputed territories between Erbil and Baghdad.
Taking a few hours, the fighting was quickly subdued following the swift involvement of both Erbil and Baghdad officials.
Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji arrived in Erbil early Tuesday and was received by Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Interior Reber Ahmed, with whom he was reported to have visited the scene.
The security advisor has been tasked with leading an investigation that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani launched on Sunday into the skirmish between Peshmerga and the Iraqi military, resulting in a number of causalities on both sides three days ago.
The two forces have previously conducted joint sweeping operations against ISIS in the area. Per an agreement between the two governments, a joint Iraqi and Kurdish force will be formed to be deployed into the disputed territories.