Iraq halts troops tasked to retake land from Kurdish control
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Prime Minister on Friday issued a 24-hour suspension of the movement of troops who are deployed in Iraq’s north to bring territory held by Kurdish forces back under federal control.
The order was given to “prevent clashes and bloodshed between the sons of one nation,” Haider al-Abadi said in a written statement.
The announcement follows conflicting reports from the U.S.-led coalition that a cease-fire had been reached between Kurdish forces and troops deployed by Iraq’s central government.
After initially announcing a cease-fire, the Coalition said the statement was incorrect, but added talks were ongoing.