Iraqi and Kurdish tensions mount

BAQUBA, Iraq, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Reports varied Wednesday regarding possible tensions between Kurdish Peshmerga forces and Iraqi troops deployed in the restive eastern province of Diyala.

Kurdish commanding Gen. Nazel Kirkuki said his 4,000-member contingent would leave its Diyala positions only if ordered by Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, Tehran's Alalam news agency said. The Kurdish Globe, however, said Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman Muhammad Askari confirmed Kurdish commanders agreed to withdraw Peshmerga forces from the city of Khanaqin in northern Diyala.

Other reports Wednesday said the Peshmerga had refused orders from the Iraqi Defense Ministry to withdraw from Diyala province so Iraqi national forces could assume security responsibility in the area.

"The commander of Iraqi ground forces, Gen. Ali Ghidan, asked us to withdraw our forces from the north of Diyala province on Aug. 10, but we've received no orders from the presidency of autonomous Kurdistan," Kirkuki said.

While Peshmerga forces have deployed alongside their Iraqi counterparts in other areas, orders to dispatch Iraqi forces to Kurdistan are a source of contention in the northern region.

Authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan have sought to annex parts of northern Diyala province that are inhabited by a large Kurdish population.

Kurdish reports say the entire Peshmerga force is on high alert because of tensions between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Baghdad over the disputed status of the city of Kirkuk.

Operations in Diyala are the latest Iraqi-led offensive targeting al-Qaida fighters in the area.