The Kurds have begun to send small amounts of oil out of the country for refining, in direct defiance of Baghdad. A spokesman said that Baghdad has refused to send the region refined oil products, so they must work directly with refiners in Turkey. Once refined, the oil will return to Kurdistan.

Baghdad has denied the claim and insists authority over any oil exportation. Relations between Baghdad and Arbil have suffered in recent months in part to claims that Baghdad is not giving Kurdistan oil profits it is owed.’

Turkish shelling has set 25 fires across the border region between the two countries.

Meanwhile, at least four Iraqis were killed and 14 more were wounded.

In Kirkuk, a bomb targeting a convoy killed a policeman and wounded two others including the police chief. Another bomb wounded seven people, including two civilians.

A bomb planted near a mayor’s home in Baquba killed one bystander and wounded another. A dumped body was found outside the city.

In Mosul, gunmen killed a policeman and wounded two bystanders.

Two people were wounded in a blast in Madaen.

Read more by Margaret Griffis

• Twenty Killed in Attacks Focused on Iraqi Security Forces – May 23rd, 2013
• 31 Killed in Iraq, Including 12 Slaughtered in a Baghdad Brothel – May 22nd, 2013
• Sixty Killed, 132 Wounded in Ongoing Iraq Carnage – May 21st, 2013
• Monday Mayhem: 133 Killed, 283 Wounded in Iraq – May 20th, 2013
• Iraqi Police Targeted As Attacks Claim 44 Lives – May 19th, 2013