Makhmour clashes 2023
Date Oct 22 October 2023 (1 day) Location Makhmour, Erbil Governorate, Iraq Result Ceasefire
Belligerents
Peshmerga	Iraqi army
Commanders and leaders
Saleh Zrari Ghazi Faisal	Unknown
Casualties and losses
2 killed 5 wounded[1]	2 killed 6 wounded[1]

The Makhmour clashes (October 22, 2023) where a series of armed clashes which began between Peshmerga and Iraqi army in the Kurdish majority town of Makhmour and its surrounding north western mountain range.

Background

Makhmour camp houses Kurdish refugees from Turkey. It 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 On the 19th of October, the PKK announced that it had withdrawn all its fighters from the camp and Iraqi troops were subsequently stationed in the areas they had evacuated.^[2]

Clashes

The clash, which reportedly broke out in the afternoon,^[3] and lasted for around two hours before abating when commanders from both sides sought to defuse tensions, said military and Peshmerga sources.^[4]

Aftermath

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Sunday called for restraint following clashes between the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Erbil province's Makhmour, and directed a high-level committee to investigate the incident. The decision was welcomed by the Peshmerga ministry.^[1]

References