While Iraqi and Kurdish forces supported by international coalition forces launched a major offensive in order to retake the city of Mosul from the Islamic State, ISIS fighters launched a sudden attack on the Kurdish held city of Kirkuk in an attempt to divert them. The battle started after ISIS fighters slipped into Kirkuk during the night and may have been joined by sleeper cells, with heavy urban clashes breaking out shortly after that.
This video footage released by Kurdish news outlets shows Kurdish Special Forces and Militia in heavy clashes and urban combat against ISIS fighters. It seems Kurdish forces have the upper hand and the situation is mostly under control, even though clashes are still ongoing. However, Kurdish officials already stated that the recent combat in Kirkuk won’t have the slightest impact on the battle for Mosul.
[revad2]
