Iraqi Forces Say They Have Seized Taken Key Sites In Kirkuk From The Kurds

Al Jazeera: Kirkuk offensive: Thousands flee as Iraqi army advances

Thousands of people are leaving the Iraqi city of Kirkuk as the Iraqi army advances on Kurdish military positions around the city.

Federal forces, backed by Shia militia, have launched a major offensive over two fronts on Monday, aimed at retaking the Kurdish-held city.

Al Jazeera's Charles Stratford, reporting from the outskirts of Kirkuk, said an increasing number of Kirkuk residents were trying to flee.

"Thousands of cars are filling the roads leading out of Kirkuk and the numbers are increasing. There is a lot of fear in the city [due to] the Iraqi army's advance."

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WNU Editor: That was fast. There was some resistance, but this is probably the reason why the Iraqi army was successful .... Peshmerga withdraws from two regions in Kirkuk, as Iraqi troops advance (Iraqi News).

Update: Iraqi forces taking over Kirkuk ‘a declaration of war’ – Kurdish Peshmerga (RT)

More News On Iraq's Military Operation To Seize Key Sites In Kirkuk From The Kurds

Iraqi forces seize Kirkuk from Kurds in bold advance -- Reuters
Kurds withdraw as Iraqi forces push into disputed Kirkuk -- AP
Iraqi forces retake airport, military base, oil field from Kurds in Kirkuk -- France 24
Iraqi forces say in control of roads, infrastructure near Kirkuk -- AFP
Iraqi forces remove Kurdish flag from Kirkuk governorate building: residents -- Reuters
Kirkuk: Iraqi forces capture key sites from Kurds -- BBC
Iraqi Forces Say They've Taken Key Sites in Kirkuk -- New York Times
Iraqi Forces Begin 'Major, Multi-Pronged' Attack on Kurds to Retake Kirkuk -- AP
Clashes between Iraqi, Kurdish troops close to Kirkuk city -- AFP
Iraqi forces clash with Kurds in operation to 'impose security' on Kirkuk -- The Guardian
Iraqi troops advance on Kurdish-controlled oil fields in Kirkuk -- DW
Iraq Seizes Oil Fields as Fighting Flares Over Kurds' State Push -- Bloomberg
Kirkuk: A crisis waiting to happen, with consequences for region -- Tim Lister, CNN