Peshmerga forces of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Iraqi Kurdistan launched an attack on guerrilla positions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the Sidekan (Sîdekan) region, north of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region on Thursday morning.
Clashes erupted as guerrilla forces responded to the offensive, with the region in a state of heightened conflict, according to Roj News.
The clashes came after KDP forces moved some 200 vehicles into the region late on Wednesday, with indications that heavy weapons were part of their convoy.
The situation took a violent turn at around 4.30am local time when part of the assault by KDP-allied security forces on guerrilla-held positions in the area quickly escalated into a firefight, with both sides reportedly exchanging fire.