Investigation committee formed to follow up on clash between IA soldiers and Kurdish force

Kirkuk (NINA) – General Jamal Tahir, Kirkuk police chief, said “joint investigation committee was formed to follow up on the clashes took place Monday between Iraqi Army personnel and guards of Kurdistan Democratic Party HQ in Kirkuk.”

In a joint press conference comprising Tahir, Commander of Iraqi Army 12 Division, Asayish manager, and American unit commander, Tahir said “the security forces in Kirkuk held a closed meeting and decided forming a joint committee and turn all personnel who took part in the clashes to investigation.”

Commander of the IA Division said “the incident was not planned. The few past days witnessed attacks on the Iraqi Army units, especially by IEDs, a matter that made a soldier act spontaneously and fire some rounds.”

Asayish Manager stressed “justice will prevail; we will not accept some soldiers behaviors and fire randomly when entering the city. The police and Asayish are responsible for the protection of society inside Kirkuk; the Army’s duty is to protect Kirkuk’s outskirts.”

For his part, the American commander said “joint coordination between the Iraqi army units is very good, there are joint operations against terrorism, and everyone agrees that an investigation in this incident should be conducted.”

Four soldiers from the IA 12th Division in Kirkuk opened fire on a citizen, who turned out to be an Asayish member, in Atlas St. downtown Kirkuk. The group clashed with a group of KDP HQ guards in the same area, leading to the injury of 3 Kurdish guards, a citizen, and a policeman, the soldiers were arrested. /End/