Several missiles hit key military base in Kirkuk province: security source

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – K1 military base in Kirkuk province has been struck by a number of missiles, Iraqi Security Media Cell said late on Friday. Two policemen were killed in the attack, according to a local security source. 

A Kirkuk federal police source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Rudaw that at least two policemen were killed in the attack.

Those reportedly killed were Sattar Jabbar Jihad, 28, and Ali Razi Abd, 25. Both were from the central Iraqi province of Babil.

One US civilian contractor was also killed in the attack, US officials from the Combined Joint Task Force, which works to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) confirmed on Saturday morning. 

Several US and Iraqi service members were also injured, according to their statement. 

"Iraqi security forces are leading the response and investigation," it added. 

Located just 15 kilometers from downtown Kirkuk, the K1 military base has housed elite Iraqi troops and Global Coalition against Islamic State (ISIS) forces in the past. Formerly under Kurdish Peshmerga control, it was captured by Iraqi forces in October 2017. 

It is not clear whether any counter-ISIS coalition personnel were present at the base at the time of attack. A source from the Coalition, who chose not to be named, confirmed the attack, adding that 10 missiles struck the base.

“Ten rockets hit Coalition base in Kirkuk tonight as Major Iraqi mission was preparing to begin,” the source said, without elaborating on the mission.

However, a security force told a local outlet Kirkuk Now that the Iraqi Army deployed troops to the southeast of the province to enhance its security following a number of recent ISIS attacks. It is not clear if the deployment is related to the “Major Iraqi mission” or not. 

A Rudaw reporter at the scene said he heard the sound of ambulances and saw helicopters flying over the base after reports of missile strikes.

The province has recently seen a surge in ISIS attacks that have killed both security forces and civilians.

At least one civilian was killed and two others injured in a live shooting against a civilian vehicle on the Kirkuk-Tirkit highway late on Thursday, according to the Iraqi Security Media Cell. However, Saeed Ali Husseini, head of public relations for the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Northern Front, told Rudaw four civilians were killed in the attack.

He added that his organization, known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, suspects ISIS members to be behind the attack. 

Three members of Iraq’s security forces were killed in two separate attacks in Kirkuk and Saladin provinces by ISIS on Tuesday.

ISIS took control of large swathes of Iraqi and Syrian territory in 2014. Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces supported by the Global Coalition defeated the group in many areas. The group was declared defeated in Iraq in December 2017 after losing control of its previously conquered territory, but continues to maintain an active presence in the country.  

ISIS sleeper cells have carried out hit-and-run attacks against security forces, abductions of civilians and officials, and bombings in populated areas. They are mostly active in areas that are disputed between the Kurdish and Iraqi governments.  

Updated on 28 December at 8:33 AM