A resident of the neighbourhood spoke to Rudaw English on the condition of anonymity. He said the situation in the city is fluid.
He said locals took up arms to defend their neighbourhood as there was no visible security presence nearby, early in the morning where he was located.
The militants entered a school called Binayi, he said, after which security forces were deployed to attack the militants inside the building with gun and mortar fire. The security forces stopped short of entering the building, the source claimed, adding that they left the neighbourhood to go to Dubiz, where there is intensive fighting.
“We ask the government to send security forces to our neighbourhood to reassure the people,” he said. “Otherwise if this situation continues into the night, it will be very dangerous.”
Rudaw’s reporter said 45 wounded have been hospitalized in Sulaimani. One person has reportedly died.
A physician in one of the hospitals spoke with Rudaw, saying, “At least 13 people wounded by ISIS bullets were rushed to Sulaimani hospitals, one died.”
At least 12 ISIS militants were killed by security and police forces in Kirkuk Friday morning as the group launched a predawn surprise attack on multiple locations across the city, leading to hours of clashes with the security forces. Rudaw has learned from sources inside the city an estimated 35 to 42 militants might have been involved in today's attack.
