Iraqi troops are removing an advertising panel with Barzani. Click to see the full-size image.
The Iraqi Army, the Federal Police and the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) regained a full control over the city of Kirkuk after forces loyal to President of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Masoud Barzani had fled the city.
According to pro-Kurdish sources, the remaining members of the Peshmerga and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) are leaving the city.
Click to see the full-size map
KRG forces were not able to pose any significant resistance to the army and its allies. The army launched an operation in the area lat on October 15. The city of Kirkuk was liberated on October 16.
Pro-Kurdish sources are blaming the US for a lack of the support.
#twitterKurds hashtag full of doom & gloom after their best trained and most well equipped militia collapsed in just hours pic.twitter.com/DgxGpKmC3G
— The’Nimr’Tiger ?? (@Souria4Syrians) 16 October 2017
Peshmerga members are crying and blaming their commanders for a retreat without fighting:
⭕️بالفيديو||
? #بيشمرگة #البارزاني يبكون ويقولون إن #قادة البيشمرگة انسحبوا دون قتال وتركوا المواقع وبقينا نحن هنا..!
•••#العراق#كركوك pic.twitter.com/FwUYnljg4N— الحشد الاعلامي (@alhashd_Media) 16 October 2017
The local population does not look very sad following the retreat of the Peshmerga and the PKK:
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The Peshmerga lost a piece of military equipment during the withdrawal from Kirkuk:
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