2023 Makhmour clashes
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = 2023 Makhmour clashes
| partof = Iraqi–Kurdish conflict
| date = October 22, 2023
(1 day)
| place = Makhmur, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq
| result = Ceasefire
- Iraqi Army and Peshmerga agree to share control of former PKK posts in Makhmur district;{{cite web|url=https://enablingpeace.org/ishm422/#Headline2|title=Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor|publisher=enablingpeace.org}} Iraqi army gains control of three of them and maintains full control over Makhmur refugee camp{{cite web|url= https://manage.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/04112023-amp|title= Peshmerga, Iraqi army to share control of Makhmour military posts|publisher=Rudaw}}
| combatant1 = {{tree list}}
- {{flagicon|Iraq}} Iraq
- {{army|Iraq}} {{tree list end}}
| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Kurdistan.svg}} Peshmerga
| strength1 =
| strength2 =
| commander1 = Unknown
| commander2 = {{flagicon|Kurdistan Region}} Saleh Zirari{{KIA}}
{{flagicon|Kurdistan Region}} Posho Khalid{{KIA}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/28102023-amp|title=Peshmerga deputy commander dies, raising Makhmour death toll to 4|publisher=Rudaw}}
| casualties1 = 2 killed
6 wounded
| casualties2 = 4 killed
5 wounded{{cite news |title=Sudani urges restraint after Iraqi, Kurdish Makhmour clashes |website=rudaw.net |url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/23102023-amp |access-date=2024-01-11}}{{cite web|url=https://kirkuknow.com/en/news/69730|title=Qarachugh clashes: struggle to control strategic, military and economic region|publisher=KirkukNow}}
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Kurdish–Iraqi conflict}}
}}
The Makhmour clashes (October 22, 2023) occurred between Iraqi Ground Forces and Peshmerga in the Kurdish majority Makhmur District and its surrounding northwestern mountain range. The district is part of the disputed territories, and as such, the area is claimed by the Kurdistan Regional Government. The clashes began after PKK suddenly withdrew from their posts (including from Makhmour refugee camp), allowing the Iraqi army to take control of the camp as well as advance further north towards Erbil. The KRG rejected the move, claiming that it violated a previous agreement between the Iraqi army’s Nineveh Joint Operations Command and Peshmerga. Iraqi Kurdish officials later attributed the clashes to “a misunderstanding”.{{cite web|url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/02112023-amp|title=Erbil, Baghdad reach agreement on Makhmour after clashes|publisher=Rudaw}}
Background
Following the 2017 Iraqi-Kurdish conflict, the Iraqi army took control of the town of Makhmur, while Peshmerga withdrew from large parts located south of Erbil including Gwer, located approximately 20 kilometers from the city.{{cite web|url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/373050|title=Peshmerga withdraw from Makhmour, Gwer towns south of Erbil|publisher=Kurdistan 24}} The PKK however, remained stationed in military posts between the two sides as well as in Makhmour camp, which houses Kurdish refugees from Turkey. The camp is located in an area disputed between Baghdad and Erbil and therefore characterized by a security vacuum. It has been hit many times by Turkish forces claiming to target the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). On the 19th of October, the PKK announced that it had withdrawn all its fighters from the area (specifically three military posts and the refugee camp) and Iraqi troops were subsequently stationed in the areas they had evacuated.{{cite news |title=Peshmerga, Iraqi army clash near Makhmour camp |website=rudaw.net |url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/221020231-amp |access-date=2024-01-11}} The Kurdistan Regional Government based in Erbil rejected the move, as it claims the territory the PKK withdrew from belongs to its own jurisdiction. This prompted the Peshmerga to attack the Iraqi army.{{cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/amp/News/middle-east/2023/10/22/Two-killed-in-clashes-between-Iraqi-army-and-Kurdish-Peshmerga-Security-sources|title=Three killed in clashes between Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga: Security sources|publisher=Al Arabiya}}
Clashes
The clash, which reportedly broke out in the afternoon,{{Cite web |title=3 soldiers killed in clash with Kurdish unit in N. Iraq-Xinhua |url=https://english.news.cn/20231023/2d8912dd9b6c4c28b87d6382cdc2a933/c.html |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=english.news.cn}} and lasted for around two hours before abating when commanders from both sides sought to defuse tensions, said Iraqi military and Peshmerga sources.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-22 |title=Four killed in clashes between Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga, security sources say |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/two-killed-clashes-between-iraqi-army-kurdish-peshmerga-security-sources-2023-10-22/ |access-date=2023-10-23}}
Aftermath
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani called for restraint following clashes between the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the disputed area, and directed a high-level committee to investigate the incident. The decision was welcomed by the Peshmerga ministry. In November 2023, it was announced that the Iraqi Army and Peshmerga had come into an agreement. It included dividing the previous three PKK evacuated positions into six and split between the two sides. The agreement did not include sharing control of the town of Makhmur nor the refugee camp.{{cite web|url= https://www.gulanmedia.com/en/story/311689/iraqi-army-and-peshmerga-reach-agreement-on-makhmour-district-dispute|title=Iraqi Army and Peshmerga Reach Agreement on Makhmur District Dispute|publisher= Gulan Media}} Ultimately, the Iraqi army extended its territorial control, including over the refugee camp. The commander of the 18th Peshmerga infantry brigade Salih Zirari, and his deputy Posho Khalid were among the dead.{{cite web|url=https://kirkuknow.com/en/news/69730|title=Qarachugh clashes: struggle to control strategic, military and economic region|publisher=KirkukNow}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/28102023-amp|title=Peshmerga deputy commander dies, raising Makhmour death toll to 4|publisher=Rudaw}}
References
{{Reflist}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Makhmour, 2023}}
Category:2023 in Iraqi Kurdistan
Category:Battles involving Iraq
Category:History of Erbil Governorate
Category:Iraqi–Kurdish conflict