Iraq moves to retake Kurdistan pipeline area

BAGHDAD, October 24, 2017 – Iraq launched an offensive to take control of a Turkish border crossing area that is home to a section of the Kurdistan Crude Export Pipeline, international media reported on Tuesday.

Pro-government paramilitaries undertook the operation in the Fish Khabur area, Reuters reported.

 

The move follows a call from Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi for Iraqi forces to retake areas under dispute with the Kurdistan Regional Government, including Turkish border crossings.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kurdish officials said Peshmerga forces had repelled an attack in the area, while an Iraqi official denied there had been clashes.

Flows from the Kurdistan Region’s export pipeline were reported to be down to as low as 200,000 bpd over the weekend, but on Monday had risen to 255,000 bpd.

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