1st LD: At least 13 killed in multiple IS attacks in Iraq's Kirkuk

At least 13 people were killed and 12 others wounded in multiple attacks by Islamic State (IS) militants on police compound and some other government buildings in Iraq's northern city of Kirkuk, a local police said.

The attack occurred early in the morning when dozens of IS militants, many with wearing explosive vests, attacked the police compound, a building of Kurdish security, known as Asaysh, and some government buildings and mosques inside the city of Kirkuk, some 250 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

After fierce clashes with the guards of the security buildings, the attackers and suicide bombers seized several buildings, including a police headquarters, Kurdish Asaysh, a mosque and a house, the source said without knowing whether the attackers held some hostages.

Another attack targeted al-Debis power station, some 35 km northeast of Kirkuk, when two suicide bombers entered the station sparking heavy clash with the guards, leaving at least five people killed and four others wounded, the source said.

The attack came as the Iraqi security forces backed by anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from its last major stronghold in and around the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. Endit