Gunfire in Kirkuk after Islamic State counter-attack

Record ID: 84198

  • Title: Gunfire in Kirkuk after Islamic State counter-attack
  • Date: 21st October 2016
  • Summary: KIRKUK, IRAQ (OCTOBER 21, 2016) (AGENCY POOL) KURDISH PESHMERGA FIGHTERS FIRING FROM BRIDGE / AUDIO OF GUNFIRE REINFORCEMENT OF PESHMERGA TRUCK ARRIVING PESHMERGA FIGHTERS CARRYING WOUNDED PESHMERGA FIGHTER PESHMERGA FIGHTERS RUNNING / AUDIO OF GUNFIRE PESHMERGA FIGHTERS CARRYING WOUNDED PESHMERGA FIGHTER AMBULANCE ARRIVING HELICOPTER FLYING OVERHEAD PESHMERGA FIGHTERS SHOOTING AND TAKING COVER
  • Embargoed: 5th November 2016 17:55
  • Keywords: Kirkuk Iraq Mosul attack assault gunfire Peshmerga injured
  • Location: KIRKUK, IRAQ
  • City: KIRKUK, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Military Conflicts
  • Reuters ID: LVA00154Y993B
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Fighting was going on in Kirkuk city centre where Islamic State attacked several police buildings and a power station on Friday (October 21) in a counter-attack on Iraqi forces.
    Kurdish Peshmerga fighters were seen carrying their wounded colleagues and firing at militant targets.
    Authorities have declared a curfew in the city where Kurdish forces were getting reinforcements.
    The assault on early Friday killed 18 members of the security forces and workers at a power station outside the city, including two Iranians, a hospital source said.
    Crude oil production facilities were not targeted and the power supply continued uninterrupted in the city.
    The militants also cut the road between the city and the power station 30 km (20 miles) to the north.
    Several dozen took part in the assault, according to security sources who couldn't confirm a claim by Islamic State that it had taken a Kurdish police officer hostage.
    At least eight militants were killed, either by blowing themselves up or in clashes with the security forces, the sources said.
    The Iraqi army launched an offensive to liberate Mosul city from Islamic State on Monday.
    The Peshmerga took control of Kirkuk in 2014, after the Iraqi army withdrew from the region, fleeing an Islamic State advance through northern and western Iraq.
  • Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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