US: Iraq must avoid fighting with Kurds

The United States has urged the Iraqi government to avoid hostilities in northern Iraq.

The tensions between Iraqi troops and Kurdish peshmeras have been high. Washington is worried about the battle that is taking place around the place of Altin Köprü in the county of Kirkuk, which has allowed government-loyal Shiite militias.

'The recovery of federal authority in disputable areas does not in any way change their status, which continues to contest until their status has been resolved in accordance with the Iraqi constitution,' Washington said.

The Iraqi government was fighting against the Kurds after the Kurds in their autonomous region had held a referendum on independence. Near the town of Kirkuk, which the Kurds received in 2014, major oil fields lie.