KIRKUK, Iraq, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- It is untimely for Iraqi forces to take control in four northern provinces as the row over the status of Kirkuk threatens to turn violent, a U.S. official said.
The security situation in northern Iraq has improved moderately as U.S. and Iraqi forces target remaining al-Qaida strongholds in the northern city of Mosul, but Iraqi leaders told U.S. officials it is too early for a transfer of responsibility, the American Forces Press Service said Monday.
Northern commanding Army Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling told reporters the situation has improved in many northern cities following a series of violent attacks earlier this year.
"We've seen a sharp decline, not only in attacks but in foreign fighters traversing the western Nineveh deserts," he said.
Hertling said the security situation in Kirkuk is tense as rival factions are engaged in disputes over the status of the city of Kirkuk. He said Iraqi national police forces have entered the city to maintain law and order as the national military has taken up positions outside the city.
Around 500 members of the Sunni paramilitary force Sons of Iraq were deployed to the region as well to take part in security operations, he said.
Tribal leaders with the group, however, warned of dire consequences should Kurdish officials seek to annex Kirkuk city. Meanwhile, the Kurdish Peshmerga forces have taken up positions in the region to counter the deployment of Iraqi national forces to the area, threatening to bring the region to the brink of civil conflict.
