Sun Oct 23, 2016 20:23:25
Kurdistan’s Counter-Terrorism forces launched a security operation against Islamic State (ISIS / Daesh / ISIL) in the south of Kirkuk on Saturday, Al-Alam News Network reports.
The offensive came a day after the militants attacked several buildings in the northern Iraqi city, killing 18 members of the security forces and workers at a power station.
Backed by armored vehicles, members of the Sulaimaniya-based elite special forces were deployed to the districts of Mualmeen and Wahid Huzeran, south of the city.
The Kurdish units engaged in heavy clashes with the militants, lasting for hours.
The forces also combed the area for militants who may still be holed up in houses.
Authorities in the city declared an end to the militant attack later on Saturday and lifted a curfew in the city on Sunday (October 23) morning.
At least eight militants were also killed in Friday's attack, security sources said.
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters took control of Kirkuk in 2014, after the Iraqi army withdrew from the region, fleeing an Islamic State (ISIS / Daesh / ISIL) advance through northern and western Iraq.
The attacks in Kirkuk came four days after Kurdish and Iraqi forces started an offensive with the backing of a US-led coalition to take back Mosul.
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