A large force of Hashd al-Shaabi militias advanced into the Kulajo district of the Garmian Administration early Sunday morning, temporarily seizing control of a significant area. However, the militias were compelled to retreat later in the day after Peshmerga forces, who had surrounded them, blocked their further entry.

Sources from BasNews revealed that the Hashd al-Shaabi militias claimed their advance into the area was based on an agreement with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Despite this assertion, the Peshmerga Ministry labeled the move as illegal, stressing that the operation was conducted without any coordination with Peshmerga forces and was outside the boundaries of formal agreements.

Earlier reports indicated that PUK forces had vacated their positions in Garmian, which allowed Hashd al-Shaabi to take control of several oil wells and a substantial portion of the district. The militias were reportedly fortifying their positions near these oil wells to solidify their control, in line with the purported agreement between the two groups.

However, Peshmerga forces quickly mobilized to challenge the incursion, surrounding the militias and forcing them to withdraw from the area. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions and complex dynamics in the region, where territorial control remains highly contested.