Iraqi forces take control of ‘vast’ regions in Kirkuk

Iraqi forces say they have taken control of “vast areas” of Kirkuk from Kurdish Peshmerga forces who had controlled the oil-rich region.

Iraqi forces say they have taken control of “vast areas” of Kirkuk from Kurdish Peshmerga forces who had controlled the oil-rich region.

The move was announced via Iraqi state TV early on Monday, shortly after reports of government forces advancing towards strategic locations such as airfields and airbases located to the west of the city.

According to Kurdish and Iraqi officials, artillery fire is being exchanged with government forces to the south of the city.

A Kurdish security official has denied that Iraqi forces were able to get closer to the city or take territory from the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.