ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A Peshmerga seized by unknown persons earlier this month in Kirkuk province has been freed, a local official confirmed.

“Farhan Mohammed, a Peshmerga, was kidnapped by some armed persons on November 2 in the village of Taqtaq, near Dubiz town. He was freed on November 16,” Jasim Abdul-Rahman, head of Dubiz Council told Rudaw.

The council head did not yet have further details.

Mohammed, previously reported as named Sarhan Mohammed, was abducted along with a civilian, Fahmi Salih, by uniformed armed men who attacked Taqtaq village.

Salih’s body was found the next day.

Disputes between Kurds and Arabs in Kirkuk have swelled over the past year, since the Peshmerga left and Iraqi forces took control of the disputed province. Kurds have accused the acting Arab governor of resuming the policy of Arabization and failing to control militia groups of the Hashd al-Shaabi.

ISIS has also taken advantage of security gaps between the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces in the area. Militants carry out frequent attacks on villages, especially at night.

Rudaw