COUNTER-OFFENSE

ISIS Launches Deadly Attack on Kirkuk

As coalition forces approach Mosul.

Islamic State militants launched an attack on the Iraqi city of Kirkuk early Friday morning, killing at least six police officers and 16 civilians. According to BBC News, 12 ISIS fighters were killed during the battle, which was mostly focused on government buildings. Kirkuk is located 105 miles southeast of Mosul, the ISIS stronghold currently under siege by pro-government forces, and is in territory claimed by both the Iraqi government and Kurdish forces. According to officials, the jihadis attacked three separate police buildings with suicide bombings, and also stormed a local power plant, killing several employees. The BBC reports that local authorities believe the attackers entered the city by posing as displaced villagers.