Friday 21st October, 2016

Militants armed with assault rifles and explosives have attacked targets in and around the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk in an assault claimed by the extremist Islamic State (IS) group.

The October 21 attack comes as the Iraqi government and Kurdish forces are making a major push to drive IS militants from Mosul, northwest of Kirkuk.

Security officials said that attackers wearing suicide vests targeted police stations and checkpoints in Kirkuk as well as a power plant being built by an Iranian company outside the city.

Reports said at least six members of the security forces and eight militants were killed, along with 11 people working at the power station, including two Iranians.

Security sources were quoted as saying at least eight militants were also killed.

Kirkuk Governor Najmadin Karim said the militants did not seize any government buildings.

Kirkuk is an oil-rich city some 290 kilometers north of Baghdad and 170 kilometers southeast of Iraq’s second-largest city of Mosul.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

SOURCE:   http://www.malaysiasun.com/index.php/sid/248746037