MESOP “THE MULLAH INTERVENTION” : Iranian Armed Forces Fight Alongside Shi’ite Militias in Tuz Khurmatu – the Shi’ite militant groups are significantly supported by Iran

BasNews – 25 Aril 2016 – TUZ KHURMATU — Iranian and Hizbullah armed forces have reportedly participated in the latest aggression in Tuz Khurmatu against Peshmerga forces.According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Iranian and Hizbullah militants took part in the recent deadly clashes between the Shi’ite Militia Hashd al-Shaabi and the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in southern district of Kirkuk province.

On April 23, clashes erupted between Peshmerga and the Shi’ite militia Hashd al-Shaabi in Tuz Khurmatu, which resulted in the death of two Peshmerga commanders, 2 civilians and six other Peshmerga.  At least 25 militants of Hashd al-Shaabi were killed during the heavy confrontations.

On Sunday afternoon, while the violence was still ongoing, the Secretary General of Badr Organisation, the major Shi’ite militant group within Hashd al-Shaabi, arrived in Kirkuk and met with the governor of Kirkuk province and other Peshmerga officials in Kirkuk. They reached an agreement to settle the tensions in Tuz Khurmatu. One of the terms of the agreement,which both sides agreed on, is the withdrawal of Peshmerga and Hashd al-Shaabi from Tuz Khurmatu, said an official in Kirkuk.The Shi’ite militia groups are believed to enjoy full support from the Shi’ite Iranian government over the border which has played a major role on the ground in the war against the Islamic State. However, they are constantly being criticised by the international organisations for violating the law of war in the Sunni areas they liberate from IS. www.mesop.de