Top Iraqi, Kurdish officials visit Mount Qarachogh to investigate recent skirmish

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24 ) – Top Iraqi and Kurdistan Region security officials on Tuesday are set to visit Mount Qarachogh in Makhmour district as part of an investigation launched by the Iraqi premier into a recent skirmish between Peshmerga and Iraqi military.

Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji arrived in Erbil on early Tuesday and was received by Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Interior Reber Ahmed.

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. 

Minister Ahmed and Al-Araji will visit the mountainous areas to closely follow up on the causes of the incident, Kurdistan 24 correspondent Azar Farooq in Erbil reported.

Taking a few hours, the fighting was quickly subdued following the swift involvement of both Erbil and Baghdad officials.  

Ministry of Peshmerga on Monday expressed support for the call made by the Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander in Chief of the armed forces.

The Ministry described the causalities on both sides as “martyrs” and reiterated the commitment to work with the Iraqi federal government for a “sustainable and fundamental solution”.

Erbil Governorate said the fighting was caused by a “misunderstanding” between the forces, similarly echoing the ministry’s call for a probe.

Makhmour is a majority Kurdish district in southern Erbil province, where it has been part of the disputed territories between Erbil and Baghdad for decades. 

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. 

Additional reporting contributed by Kurdistan 24 correspondent from Erbil Azar Farooq