2023 Makhmour clashes

Part of Iraqi-Kurdish conflict

Makhmour mountains, 2020

Date

October 22, 2023
(1 day)

Location

Makhmur, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Result

Ceasefire

Iraqi Army and Peshmerga agree to share control of military positions in Makhmur

Belligerents

Peshmerga

Iraqi army

Commanders and leaders

Saleh Zirari †

Posho Khalid †

Unknown

Casualties and losses

4 killed
5 wounded

2 killed
6 wounded

v t e Iraqi–Kurdish conflict
Early conflicts Mahmud Barzanji revolts Ahmed Barzani revolt 1943 Barzani revolt Main phase First Iraqi–Kurdish War Second Iraqi–Kurdish War PUK insurgency Arabization campaigns 1983–1986 Kurdish rebellions Anfal campaign 1991 uprisings Later phase 1994–97 Civil War 2003 invasion of Iraq 2017 Iraqi–Kurdish conflict Kirkuk 2023 Makhmour clashes

Iraqi–Kurdish conflict

Early conflicts

Main phase

Later phase

The Makhmour clashes (October 22, 2023) were a series of armed clashes which began between Peshmerga and the Iraqi army in the Kurdish majority town of Makhmour and its surrounding northwestern 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 On the 19th of October, the PKK announced that it had withdrawn all its fighters from the camp and Iraqi troops were subsequently stationed in the areas they had evacuated.

Clashes

The clash, which reportedly broke out in the afternoon, and lasted for around two hours before abating when commanders from both sides sought to defuse tensions, said military and Peshmerga sources. The commander of the 18th Peshmerga infantry brigade Salih Zirari, and his deputy Posho Khalid were among the dead.

Aftermath

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani called for restraint following clashes between the Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the disputed town, 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.

References

"Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor". enablingpeace.org.
"Peshmerga, Iraqi army to share control of Makhmour military posts". Rudaw.
"Peshmerga deputy commander dies, raising Makhmour death toll to 4". Rudaw.
^ "Sudani urges restraint after Iraqi, Kurdish Makhmour clashes". rudaw.net. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
"Qarachugh clashes: struggle to control strategic, military and economic region". KirkukNow.
"Peshmerga, Iraqi army clash near Makhmour camp". rudaw.net. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
"3 soldiers killed in clash with Kurdish unit in N. Iraq-Xinhua". english.news.cn. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
"Four killed in clashes between Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga, security sources say". Reuters. 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
"Qarachugh clashes: struggle to control strategic, military and economic region". KirkukNow.
"Peshmerga deputy commander dies, raising Makhmour death toll to 4". Rudaw.

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