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JIHADI ATTACK

ISIS militants blow themselves up in massive bloody assault on Kirkuk as Iraqi forces close in on Mosul

THE Islamic State has failed in an assault on targets around Kirkuk, with the jihads either killed or blowing themselves up.

According to reports, up to 100 militants armed with grenades and wearing explosive vests or belts were involved in the strategic attack overnight.

Peshmerga forces stand behind rocks during the Kirkuk battle
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Peshmerga forces stand behind rocks during the Kirkuk battleCredit: Reuters
A Kurdish security personnel takes cover at a site of an attack by Islamic State militants in Kirkuk
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A Kurdish security personnel takes cover at a site of an attack by Islamic State militants in KirkukCredit: Reuters
Military vehicles of peshmerga forces are seen at a site of an attack by Islamic State militants in Kirkuk, with the jihads driven back
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Military vehicles of peshmerga forces are seen at a site of an attack by Islamic State militants in Kirkuk, with the jihads driven backCredit: Reuters
It is unclear how many members of the Iraq forces were killed in the Kirkuk attack
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It is unclear how many members of the Iraq forces were killed in the Kirkuk attackCredit: Reuters
It is believed the attack on Kirkuk was to distract from the battle over Mosul
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It is believed the attack on Kirkuk was to distract from the battle over MosulCredit: Reuters
Smoke rises as Kurdish forces take up position at a site of an attack by IS jihads
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Smoke rises as Kurdish forces take up position at a site of an attack by IS jihadsCredit: Reuters
Armed forces clashed against ISIS fighters with reports that the jihads were either killed or blew themselves up
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Armed forces clashed against ISIS fighters with reports that the jihads were either killed or blew themselves upCredit: Reuters
An Iraqi army M1 Abrams tank approaches a checkpoint on October 21, 2016 near Qayyarah, Iraq
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An Iraqi army M1 Abrams tank approaches a checkpoint on October 21, 2016 near Qayyarah, IraqCredit: Getty Images
The Kirkuk battle was to draw attention away from the Mosul conflict, pictured, experts have said
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The Kirkuk battle was to draw attention away from the Mosul conflict, pictured, experts have saidCredit: Getty Images

It is understood government buildings, including Kirkuk's main police headquarters, were targeted by the suicide bombers.

But the tide turned against the jihads on Friday night with Brig Gen Khattab Omer saying the IS attackers involved in the assault had been killed or blown themselves up.

It has now been announced the 48 ISIS terrorists were killed in the Kirkuk offensive.

Several hundred Iraqi families have been made to leave their homes for Mosul by Islamic State fighters
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Several hundred Iraqi families have been made to leave their homes for Mosul by Islamic State fightersCredit: Getty Images
ISIS attacked Kirkuk as Kurdish and Iraqi forces, backed by a coalition including Britain and the U.S.A continue their offensive to retake Iraq's second largest city of Mosul
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ISIS attacked Kirkuk as Kurdish and Iraqi forces, backed by a coalition including Britain and the U.S.A continue their offensive to retake Iraq's second largest city of MosulCredit: Getty Images

Brigadier General Khattab Omar Aref confirmed the number that had been killed, saying special counter-terrorism and intelligence units were hunting down the dozens of ISIS fighters who stormed into Kirkuk on Friday.

He said: "The security forces control the situation now but there are still pockets of jihadists in some southern and eastern neighbourhoods

"We have foiled this large Daesh plot, which was to take control of government buildings, including security headquarters

"They were denied just like they are being defeated on the outskirts of Mosul."

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi's office announced that reinforcements would be sent into Kirkuk to help track down the remaining attackers.

 

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Militants killed 13 workers, including four Iranians at a power plant north of Kirkuk, with a local television reporter also killed by a sniper.

It is unclear how many members of the Iraqi forces were killed in the aggressive assault, however a statement released by authorities said that "a number of peshmerga have paid the ultimate sacrifice".

The assault reportedly took place to divert attention from the IS-held city of Mosul, around 100 miles away, where Iraqi forces are waging a major offensive.

The media wing of ISIS, Amaq, previously claimed that their fighters attacked Kirkuk before dawn and had taken control of 10 neighbourhoods.

The tense situation also saw militants rush into unoccupied buildings in the city, becoming involved in stand offs with Iraqi security forces.

Kurdish troops fire rockets at ISIS troops in one of Mosul's outlying villages
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Kurdish troops fire rockets at ISIS troops in one of Mosul's outlying villagesCredit: Getty Images
Smoke rises as liberating troops bombard ISIS positions, with jihads recently trying to target Kirkuk
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Smoke rises as liberating troops bombard ISIS positions, with jihads recently trying to target KirkukCredit: Reuters
One of Iraqs elite special forces soldiers poses for a photo having joined the battle for Mosul
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One of Iraqs elite special forces soldiers poses for a photo having joined the battle for MosulCredit: AP:Associated Press
A Kurdish sniper holds a position outside the town of Naweran
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A Kurdish sniper holds a position outside the town of NaweranCredit: Reuters
Kurdish troops launched a "pincer" movement on three ISIS positions this morning
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Kurdish troops launched a "pincer" movement on three ISIS positions this morningCredit: Getty Images
Peshmerga forces gather north of Mosul during today's advances
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Peshmerga forces gather north of Mosul during today's advancesCredit: Reuters
They launched a three pronged attack on ISIS-held villages today
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They launched a three pronged attack on ISIS-held villages todayCredit: Reuters

Kirkuk is the centre of northern Iraq's oil industry with the fighting easier for attacking forces due to the low numbers of civilians.

The UN has previously warned that any attempt to recapture the ISIS stronghold of Mosul was fraught with danger due to the high number of civilians who could be impacted by the conflict.

The UN has also raised concerns that civilians in the area have been shot dead by jihads desperate to keep control of Mosul.

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