ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: Kurdish Peshmerga forces' sources reported that they are "on high alert", amid news that a military force is coming from Baghdad to Kirkuk and Touz.

 

The source told Aswat al-Iraq that the Peshmerga are scattering in Touz streets and outskirts on high alert for any emergency, "but we do not want to encounter with any military force in order not to lose any fighter from both sides".

 

"According to our information, which is under investigation, that a big force is coming from Baghdad, but we do not know its aim, so we informed competent authorities in the Kurdish region", the source added.

 

Tension is overwhelming Kirkuk province and Touz area for the last few days, for the presence of Dijla Command forces in the area, which were sent according to orders by Premier Nouri al-Maliki.

 

Last September, the central government formed a new military command called Dijla Operations Command that will control the security situation in disputed areas in northern Iraq in Kirkuk, Diala and Salahal-Din provinces.

 

This move stirred the anger of the Kurdish leaders who thought "it will imply anti-Kurdish intentions and goals".

 

Last Thursday, Premier Maliki warned Kurdish Beishmarga forces from "inciting" governmental forces, stressing that the new command is "not against a component, province, or nationality", but within his constitutional competence.

 

On Saturday, Kurdish President Masoud Barzani announced "high alert" among Peshmerga forces in the autonomous areas after an accident occurred with Iraqi governmental soldiers.