Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) - President Barzani has called on Iraqi National Alliance and Shiite leaders to oppose efforts to create a wedge between Kurds and Arabs in the disputed areas, and has also ordered the Peshmerga forces to highest state of readiness.

The President made this statement following an incident in the disputed town of Tuz Khormato on Friday in which one person died and several were wounded in clashes between Iraqi and Peshmerga forces.

He also called on the Peshmerga forces to be fully prepared to confront any aggressive acts. “The Kurdistan Region is ready to defend its soil and all its citizens. I also call on the Peshmerga forces to exercise restraint in the face of provocations, but also to be in a highest state of readiness to face any aggressive acts,” read the statement from the president.