In this article courtesy of the BBC, we get an update of the current situation unfolding in northern Iraq. A few weeks ago now, Kurds in the semi-autonomous Kirkuk province had voted in favor of independence, with leaders deciding to uphold the referendum in recent talks with the Iraqi government. The Iraqi government has responded by deploying forces to Kirkuk with the objective of securing oil fields and an airbase in the region. The United States has urged dialogue and restraint in the matter, as issues like this are a huge blow against the fight against ISIS. Both sides have expressed the desire not to fight, but also stating they are willing to if pushed to far. The Iraqi government has also accused Kurdistan of "deploying outside fighters" such as the those from the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers Party, which has been interpreted as "akin to a declaration of war". Overall, the development in this standoff is pivotal in the continued stability in the region. If it comes to war, we may even see a resurgence in ISIS activity.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41631697
-Aric Laatz
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