The Pentagon has urged Iraqi and Kurdish forces to "avoid escalatory actions" and to turn to dialogue to defuse tensions and resolve their differences.

"We oppose violence from any party, and urge against destabilizing actions that distract from the fight against ISIS and further undermine Iraq's stability," Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Seal said when asked about an Iraqi state TV report that Iraqi forces had taken control of parts of the oil-rich Kirkuk region without opposition from Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.