Iraq sends reinforcements to Kirkuk oil fields

The Iraqi government on Sunday sent reinforcements to Kirkuk in order to secure oil facilities in the northern city, according to a local police officer.

“Large police troops were dispatched to Kirkuk oil fields as part of a plan to secure oil facilities there,” Capt. Hamed al-Obaidi told Anadolu Agency.

Al-Obaidi said the Iraqi army will leave the task of securing the oil fields in Kirkuk to the police.

Last week, Iraqi forces seized control of the oil fields in Kirkuk from the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, which took control of the disputed province in 2014.

The move came amid tension between Baghdad and the Kurdish Regional Government over last month’s controversial referendum for Kurdish independence.