17 Islamic State militants killed, wounded in coalition airstrikes in Kirkuk

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) Seventeen Islamic State fighters were either killed or wounded Thursday in airstrikes by US-led coalition forces west of Kirkuk, a security source has reported on condition of anonymity.

The source told Alsumaria News that fighter jets bombed Taza, al-Rashad and Daqouq south and southwest of Kirkuk, killing five militants and injuring 122.

The airstrikes were carried out based on Iraqi intelligence information, the source explained.

ISIS fighters have been in control over several regions in southwestern Kirkuk since the group proclaimed a self-styled ”Islamic Caliphate” in several Iraqi cities in 2014. The group has used those locations as launching points for its attacks on Kirkuk and Salahuddin. Preparations are underway for a joint campaign by security and popular forces to retake those regions.

Battles between Iraqi government forces and IS in Mosul and Kirkuk have forced at least 125.000 people to flee homes to refugee camps.