MESOP NEWS : PKK IN SINJAR UNDER COMMAND OF A BAGHDAD SECURITY ADVISOR

Tensions Rise Between Abadi and Maliki Over PKK in Sinjar: Official

ERBIL — BasNews 14 Jan 2017 – The presence of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) forces in Sinjar has caused tensions between Iraqi prime minister Haidar al-Abadi and former premier Nouri al-Maliki as the latter supports PKK’s stay in the district.

Waheed Bakozi, chief of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) headquarters in Sinjar, told BasNews “PKK is staying in Sinjar with the support of Nouri al-Maliki while Abadi is demanding its withdrawal [from Sinjar] which has generated tensions within the Baghdad government.” He also stated that the PKK forces in Sinjar are overseen by Falih Fayaz, a national security advisor to the Iraqi government, who is being supported by Maliki. Aydin Maruf, the head of the Turkmen bloc in the Kurdistan Region Parliament, said that Turkey has affirmed its support to contribute to the reconstruction of Tal Afar and Sinjar if the issue of PKK is settled. Speaking to BasNews, Maruf said “It is Baghdad’s duty to pressure PKK to leave Sinjar,” noting that anyone who supports PKK will be held responsible. He added that the process of PKK’s withdrawal from Sinjar will be reviewed by Baghdad. www.mesop.de