'Attack in Iraq's Kirkuk over, 74 IS jihadists dead'

Iraqi security forces yesterday ended an attack by the IS in Kirkuk city, killing at least 74 jihadists in three days of clashes, the provincial governor said

Iraqi Kurdish security forces detain a suspected member of the Islamic State (IS) as they patrol the eastern suburbs of Kirkuk. Pic/AFP

Iraq: Iraqi security forces yesterday ended an attack by the IS in Kirkuk city, killing at least 74 jihadists in three days of clashes, the provincial governor said.

“The attack is over and life has returned to normal,” Najmeddin Karim, the governor of Kirkuk province, said. “Security forces have killed more than 74 Daesh (IS) terrorists and detained several others, including their leader.”

Karim said the initial confessions of the ringleader confirmed reports that around 100 fighters attacked Kirkuk early Friday, some of the sleeper cells that joined up with militants infiltrating the city.

Some attackers are also believed to have fled the city on Saturday, later clashing with security forces in rural areas east of Kirkuk.

The spectacular attack led to three days of clashes that left at least 46 people dead, mostly members of the security forces, and the Kurdish-controlled city under curfew.

The raid on Kirkuk, which lies in an oil-rich area around 240 km north of Baghdad, appeared to be an attempt by the IS to divert attention from Mosul.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!