As Iraqi forces near Mosul, ISIS launches deadly counterstrike in Kirkuk

Iraqi military and Kurdish peshmerga forces drew within 10 miles of the outskirts of Islamic State–held Mosul on Thursday night, and early Friday, ISIS launched a series of coordinated attacks on Kirkuk, about 100 miles away. At least 11 people were killed by ISIS militants at a power plant 30 miles north of Kirkuk, including at least three Iranian engineers, and there are an unknown number of casualties from multiple suicide bombers, grenades, and gun battles inside Kirkuk. Security forces have at least two ISIS militants surrounded in a building used as a hotel, Iraqi security forces say.

The attacks on Kirkuk appear to be an attempt by ISIS to draw forces away from the Mosul offensive.

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