An investigation committee dispatched by Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Zaidi entered Jurf al-Sakhar under Federal Police and army escort, marking the first state presence in 12 years in the IRGC-backed Kataib Hezbollah (KH) stronghold.

KH fighters gathered at the entrance, and it remained unclear how far the security forces got into the area. Iraqi accounts claim KH allowed only PMF members in and turned the rest away; footage appears to show KH searching vehicles at the gate.

The entry follows an earlier report that Al-Zaidi had put the Jurf al-Sakhar operation on hold "temporarily" so Framework leaders could work out a deal with the factions:

Al-Zaidi has reportedly put the Jurf al-Sakhar operation on hold "temporarily" so Framework leaders can work out a deal with the factions. Al Arabiya and Al Hadath sources say the aim is to let Defense and Interior Ministry forces enter without a clash, and that the forces are staying on combat readiness in case the talks fail.

Those reports said the plan was to surround the area, stop the oil smuggling and end the factions' presence there. There has been no official statement.