10/22/2016, 13.37
IRAQ
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With Mosul besieged, Islamic State attacks Kirkuk, causing deaths and taking hostages

Islamic State fighters have attacked the city, hitting government buildings and a power plant under construction. Worshippers have been taken hostage in a mosque. The Islamic State’s response to the Mosul offensive is to open a new battlefront.

Kirkuk (AsiaNews/Agencies) – At least 46 people have died in fighting between Islamic State (IS) commandos and regular forces in Kirkuk when IS fighters attacked yesterday the Dibis power station, north of the city, and several neighbourhoods.

Local sources report that three attackers struck the power plant under construction, killing 12 people, including Iraqi engineers and technicians, as well as four Iranians. When security forces intervened, they killed one of the attackers whilst the two others blew themselves up.

In addition to the electrical system, IS fighters attacked government buildings in the predominantly Kurdish city in northern Iraq, killing at least six police officers.

The governor of Kirkuk announced that the situation WAS now under control; however, according to some witnesses, violence and fighting continue in the streets.

Turkmen leader Arshad Salihi said that the situation remains volatile and further reinforcements are needed.

One IS group is holed up in a school. Black smoke can be seen around Majdi Palace, where an IS sniper has been shooting at Kurdish security forces.

Jihadis have also taken several hostages in a city mosque, taking advantage of the Friday prayer.

The city’s Sunni religious leaders ordered the closure of mosques and places of worship, cancelling Friday prayers.

Although security forces have killed several IS members, fighting has not yet ended. Kurdish Rudaw TV has shown Daesh* fighters walking down some streets in certain neighbourhoods.

The attack in Kirkuk comes as Iraqi and Kurdish troops move towards the city of Mosul, an IS stronghold, in what seems to be an attempt to divert the military offensive by opening a new battlefront.

* Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.

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