Iraqi army launches operation in Kirkuk

The Iraqi security forces have begun operations to take over military bases and oil wells from Peshmerga of the oil-rich Kurdish city, asserted the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (IKBY) Security Agency.

The news agency Anadolu reported that a statement on the Twitter account of the Security Agency stated that Iraqi forces and the pro-government Hashd al-Shaabi militia started from Tuz Khormato which is in the south of Kirkuk to take full action.

As per the statement, the operation is majorly launched to enter the city of Kirkuk to take over the 'K1 Military Base' and oil wells which are under the control of the Peshmerga.

Earlier in 2014, the Kurdish Peshmerga forces took a numerous strategic positions in Kirkuk.

There has been a rise in the tension between Erbil and Baghdad since last month when the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) held a controversial referendum on the independence of the Kurdish region.