ERBIL, Kurdistan Region--Military and security officials in Erbil are warning that Iraqi troops and militia forces are amassing on the borders of the Kurdistan Region in a clear sign of aggression. "We are concerned about continued military build-up of Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) towards the Kurdistan Region. In the last 48 hours, Iraq has continued to deploy tanks and artillery, as well as American equipment, including Humvees and Armored Personnel Carriers." Kurdistan Region's Security Council said in a statement Monday afternoon. "Iraq has shown zero signs of de-escalating their military aggression against the people of Kurdistan Region." The Kurdish Security Council said that this deployment of troops must stop. "This dangerous deployment follows Iraq's unprovoked attacks last week in Kirkuk and Altun Kupri." KRSC's statement read. "We call on the Iraqi Government to immediately cease its military aggression and withdraw from all territories." "As the political leadership of the Kurdistan Region has said time and again, Iraq must commit to unconditional talks to settle political disputes through peaceful means." Iraqi troops and Iranian-backed Shiite militia forces of the Hashd al-Shaabi launched an offensive against the town of Altun Kopri on Friday where a day of clashes ensured with casualties on both sides. Late on Sunday US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in the Saudi capital Riyadh that Iranian-backed militia must disband and go home now that the war with ISIS was winding down.
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