Iraqi forces secure strategic airbase in Kirkuk
Move comes as Iraqi government scrambles to take control of areas disputed between Baghdad and Erbil
Iraqi troops are seen as their shipments to center and around of Kirkuk continue at Mektep Halit region of southern Kirkuk, Iraq on October 16, 2017.
BAGHDAD
Iraqi federal forces on Monday captured a strategic airbase in Kirkuk amid ongoing military operations to secure the northern oil-rich city, according to the Defense Ministry.
The ministry said in a statement that the federal police and rapid response forces had imposed security at the Al-Hurriya airbase south of Kirkuk.
The ministry did not report any clashes between government forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters loyal to northern Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) during the operation to capture the facility.
Iraqi forces seize Tuz Khurmatu amid Kirkuk operation
The airbase has remained under Peshmerga control since
Earlier Monday, the Iraqi army launched a wide-ranging operation aimed at capturing military bases and oilfields in Kirkuk.
The move comes amid mounting tension between Baghdad and the Erbil-based KRG following last month’s illegitimate referendum on Kurdish regional independence.
Iraq closes Kirkuk-Baghdad road amid clashes
Reporting by Hussein Al-Amir; Writing by Ali Abo Rezeg, Mahmoud Barakat
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