Parliament Speaker calls for cooperation with Peshmerga

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – Iraqi Parliament Speaker, Salim al-Jabouri called on Sunni Arab tribes in Kirkuk Province to cooperate with the Peshmerga forces.

During his visit, Jabouri met with Kirkuk Governor, Najmaddin Karim and a number of Sunni Arab tribal representatives and asked them to cooperate with Peshmerga forces in liberating IS-controlled areas.

In a press conference held on Wednesday, Jabouri said, “Some areas in Kirkuk Province are under IS control, especially in Hawija District. We need a comprehensive plan to restore security and stability to these regions, and to accomplish this, unity among the different military forces is required.”

Jabouri also explained that the Iraqi government has to provide financial support to the local government in Kirkuk to assist in providing basic needs to the large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the province and to help combat IS.

Ismael Hadidi, a tribal leader in Tuz Khurmatu told K24, “We have asked the Parliament Speaker to help Sunni tribes in the war effort against IS [and] we are also ready to cooperate with Peshmerga.”

However, the head of Iraqi Turkmen Front, Arshad al-Salihi criticized Jabouri for not inviting Turkmen and Christians to the meeting. “He should have been more inclusive,” he expressed.

Reporting by Baxtiyar Goran

Editing by Ava Homa