Heavily armed Islamic State fighters have launched an attack on the city of Kirkuk as Iraqi troops advance on the city of Mosul.
The counter-attack in northern Iraq has left at least 22 people dead after a police compound, government buildings and a power station were targeted.
Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, fell to ISIS in June 2014 and is currently its last major stronghold in the country. While the advance to take back the city is viewed as a positive step, it poses life-threatening risks for civilians who try to flee from under ISIL’s control or are caught in the crossfire.
Coalition forces have captured Bartella, about 8 miles east of Mosul but now face the task of diverting troops to defend under-attack Kirkuk. A move by ISIS seen at a tactical ploy to slow Iraqi advance on Mosul.
