The Iraqi government accused Kurdish authorities on Sunday of bringing fighters from Turkey’s separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to the disputed oil-rich city of Kirkuk and said it considered the move a “declaration of war”.

In a statement published after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and attended by top military and security commanders, the government said it will seek to impose its authority over Kirkuk and other disputed areas.

Meanwhile, an aide to Kurdistan region President Barzani has denied any PKK presence in Kirkuk.

ANALYSIS: Will oil-rich Kirkuk be the center of an imminent Arab-Kurdish conflict?