(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (KUNA) -- The US voiced its concern on Saturday over the violent clashes in northern Iraq, saying it is "monitoring the situation closely" and called on all parties "to cease all violence and provocative movements and to coordinate their activities to restore calm." In a statement, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said "in order to avoid any misunderstandings or further clashes, we urge the central government to calm the situation by limiting federal forces' movements in disputed areas to only those coordinated with the Kurdistan Regional Government." "We are encouraged by Prime Minister Abadi's instructions to federal forces to protect Iraqi Kurdish citizens and to not provoke conflict," she added.
She stressed that the "reassertion of federal authority over disputed areas in no way changes their status - they remain disputed until their status is resolved in accordance with the Iraqi constitution." She noted that "until parties reach a resolution, we urge them to fully coordinate security and administration of these areas." Nauert re-affirmed the US' commitment "to a united, stable, democratic, and federal Iraq, and committed to the Kurdistan Regional Government as an integral component of the country." "We also remain determined to finish the fight against (IS) in Iraq and call on the Iraqi Government to redouble its efforts with the Global Coalition until that task is done," she concluded. (end) si.mb
MENAFN2110201700710000ID1095970580
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.