“To express the Kurdistan Region’s goodwill and show that it does not campaign for war, it [KRG] has requested that the American forces become a moderator between both forces [Peshmerga and YPG] so that no fighting happens,” spokesperson Jotiar Adil told reporters in Erbil.
“The Kurdistan Regional Government aims to protect the Kurdistan Region’s institutions and people,” Adil said.
The request follows a string of clashes between Peshmerga forces affiliated with the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and a clash between the KDP-affiliated Peshmerga and the YPG on the Kurdistan Region’s border with Rojava.
The clash with the YPG came after a number of PKK members wanted to enter the Kurdistan Region’s Sihela area which borders Rojava earlier this month, but were captured upon entry by Peshmerga forces.
Clashes ensued after a number of YPG fighters intervened. The PKK members were later released.
Peshmerga commanders accused the YPG of attacking them – an accusation the YPG denied. Though tensions have somewhat subsided, relations between the two armed groups remain thorny.
Adil did not give more information about when and why they have made such a request at this time. However, a KRG official told Al-Monitor on Tuesday that the request was made to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to help curb the movement of the PKK.
Barzani’s deputy chief of staff Aziz Ahmad told the US-based news outlet that the KRG wants the US forces stationed in and around the strategic Fishkhabour border crossing between the Kurdistan Region and Rojava.
The US forces would also independently verify smuggling attempts on the border, Ahmad added, saying this “would be good” for both Erbil and Ankara. The latter regards both YPG and PKK as terrorist organizations and has launched several military operations against them. saying that they pose a threat to its national security.
