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

Iraqi forces battle ISIS in Kirkuk — (Image credit: AP/YouTube)

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.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.