Attack in Kirkuk over, 74 IS jihadists killed: Governor

Iraqi security forces on Monday ended an attack by the Islamic State (IS) group in Kirkuk city, killing at least 74 jihadists in three days of clashes, the provincial governor said.

“The attack is over and life has returned to normal,” said Najmeddin Karim, the governor of Kirkuk province. He added: “The security forces have killed more than 74 Daesh (IS) terrorists and detained several others, including their leader.” 

Karim said the initial confessions of the ringleader confirmed reports that around 100 fighters attacked Kirkuk early Friday, some of them sleeper cells that joined up with militants infiltrating the city. 

Some attackers are believed to have fled the city on Saturday, later clashing with security forces in rural areas east of Kirkuk.

The spectacular attack led to three days of clashes that left at least 46 people dead, mostly members of the security forces.