KIRKUK: Fighting continues for second day between security forces and ISIS, 11 militants killed

Fighting has resumed for the second day in Kirkuk between security forces and a number of ISIS militants still hiding inside a school in the city.

Peshmerga forces told Rudaw that they have killed three of the militants this morning and they have fully besieged the school to “kill the rest of the militants,”

Security and anti-terrorism forces are patrolling the streets of Kirkuk in search of militants who are believed to have taken position in some homes and tall buildings.

Also south of the city of Kirkuk near the town of Laylan, Peshmerga forces killed at least 11 ISIS militants after hours of intense clashes in the early hours of Saturday, police chief Sarhad Qadir told Rudaw.

“In fierce clashes which lasted for two hours, 11 ISIS militants, who appeared to be foreigners, were killed by the Peshmerga forces in the village of Mahmoodia near Lailan town,” said Brig. Qadir, chief of Kirkuk Suburban Police.

Qadir added “nine militants were killed by bullets and the other two blew themselves up."

He explained “the militants belonged to the group who infiltrated Kirkuk, but later they fled the city.”

The Peshmerga did not suffer any casualties, he said.

A police chief in Kirkuk told Rudaw on Friday that around 70 ISIS militants had infiltrated the city and taken hold of several buildings, including a landmark hotel.

Kirkuk governor Najmaldin Karim told Rudaw that the militants maybe members of ISIS sleeper cells inside Kirkuk and some may have entered the city disguised as refugees.