While military activity continued after the entry of the Iraqi army into Kirkuk with the militia forces, explanations continued to come on the international scene.

US President Donald Trump, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Federica Mogherini spoke about what happened in Kirkuk.

Trump spoke after Iraqi troops and militia forces clashed with Peshmerga and the continuation of military activities, stated that they are not taking sides in the battle.

"We don't like the fact that they're clashing," U.S. President Donald Trump told journalists in Washington. "As the US we do not taking side in the battle."

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the United States is "very concerned" by the violence and urged "all parties to avoid provocations that can be exploited by Iraq's enemies who are interested in fueling ethnic and sectarian conflict."

"The United States is very concerned by reports of violence around Kirkuk, Iraq," said Nauert and added: "We are monitoring the situation closely and call on all parties to coordinate military activities and restore calm."

"We support the peaceful exercise of joint administration by the central and regional governments, consistent with the Iraqi Constitution, in all disputed areas. We are working with officials from the central and regional governments to reduce tensions, avoid further clashes, and encourage dialogue," said Nauert in the written statement.

Finally, "We strongly urge all parties to avoid provocations that can be exploited by Iraq's enemies who are interested in fueling ethnic and sectarian conflict. In particular, we note that there is still much work to be done to defeat ISIS in Iraq, and continued tensions between Iraqi and Kurdish forces distract from this vital mission. The United States will continue to stand with our Iraqi partners to ensure ISIS's defeat," said Nauert.

The United Nations [UN] Secretary-General Spokesman Stephane Dujarric also stated that there should be a dialog between Baghdad and Erbil in order to resolve all outstanding issues.

Stating that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely following the situation of Kirkuk, Dujarric said: "Our humanitarian colleagues in Iraq tell us that military movements in northern Iraq have displaced of thousands of families from Kirkuk since yesterday evening. The exact number of people who have been displaced is still being confirmed. So far, two civilians have also been caught in crossfire at a displacement camp in Kirkuk Governorate. Aid workers are mobilizing and stressing the need for access to all those in need of help. They are also calling on the parties to ensure that civilians are protected and can leave the area if they choose to do so."

The European Union [EU] also made calls for dialogue by the parties to end the violence after the key points in Kirkuk were retaken by the Iraqi army from Peshmerga affiliated Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG].

After the independence referendum held by KRG in regions under their controls including Kirkuk resulted in 92 percent "yes" votes on September 25, tensions outbreak between the KRG and Baghdad government, the Iraqi army had seized Monday the governor building in Kirkuk and military airport.

On the other hand, Germany also has been suspended military training with Peshmerga to fight DAESH due to tensions between Baghdad and KRG.

Germany Chief of Staff Volker Wieker, said that the training with Peshmerga has been suspended on Friday due to rising tensions in the region.

Wieker stated that this decision was taken as a result of consultation with Defense Minister Ursula Von Der Leyen.

Baghdad administration in the light of strained relations in the region after the independence referendum held by the KRG on 25 September gave an ultimatum to KRG to abandon Kirkuk on Friday, whereupon they launched the operation to seize the city Monday morning. The Iraqi army which didn't encounter resistance from Peshmerga, retook in Kirkuk governorate building, enabling the control of the oil fields near the city with an important military base.

The German press reported that what the German government has been evaluating since the moment of tension emerged was that it was taken to avoid jeopardizing Germany's neutrality.

Sinjar's control in the hands of forces loyal to the Iraqi central government

Iraq's central government-affiliated forces, previously entered into Sinjar central provide a complete control which was under the peshmerga's control.

According to reports, the Iraqi army in the early morning hours, federal police, and paramilitary forces entered the district center Sinjar. No clash was reported that the peshmerga evacuated all public buildings.

Iraqi army entered Mahmur district center

It was also reported that Baghdad military forces entered Mahmur, district of Mosul and Peshmerga reportedly retreated.

The situation is calm in Kirkuk, but people are nervous

In Kirkuk, it is reported that life has come to a halt. While the Iraqi army and the militia forces controlled the important points of the city, it was seen that thousands of people emigrated to Erbil and Sulaimani. An important part of the people prefers not to leave their homes. (Mustafa Kaynak, Hamza Adıyaman - ILKHA)