Iraqi PM visits Kirkuk, discusses Hawija operation

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – In his first visit to Kirkuk province on Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi stated that the security forces will soon liberate Hawija and Mosul from the Islamic State (IS).

In an unannounced visit, Abadi arrived at the province of Kirkuk in southern Kurdistan Region. He met Kirkuk Governor Najmaddin Karim and the head of Kirkuk Provincial Council (KPC) Rebwar Talabani.

Abadi also visited Bashir village and Peshmerga front line in Maktab Khalid, southern Kirkuk. During his visit, he discussed the latest military development in the area and talked to some of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The Prime Minister said that the government would reconstruct the towns and villages after they are cleared from the IS. He mentioned that Iraqi security forces, either Shia militia Hashd al-Shaabi or Peshmerga, will free the people of Iraq from the jihadists group.

He highlighted that there is no difference between the ethnic and religious groups in Iraq: Arab, Kurd, Christian or Turkmen. He called for peace among the citizens of Iraq regardless of their whereabouts and ethnic and religious background.

Regarding Baghdad’s relations with Ankara, Abadi said that Iraq wants to have peaceful ties with all neighboring countries.

It is the first visit of Abadi to the Province of Kirkuk since he became the Prime Minister of Iraq in 2014.

The main topics of the visit will be the military operation to liberate Hawija and Mosul from IS, financial issues related to Kirkuk, oil, and provincial election.

It is still unclear whether Mosul and Hawija offensives will be launched together or separately.

Editing by Ava Homa