Thousands of people are leaving the Iraqi city of Kirkuk

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


Federal forces, backed by Shia militia, 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 for the Iraqi army's advance."

The Iraqi army said it seized control of the city's airport, in addition to an oil field, the strategic K1 military base and the Taza Khormatu district southeast of Kirkuk.
  [aljazeera.com]
 16/10/17