Iraqi forces take the control of Kirkuk

KIRKUK, IRAQ - OCTOBER 16: Iraqi forces patrol in the streets after they retake the control of the city center from Peshmerga forces in Kirkuk, Iraq on October 16, 2017. Iraqi forces on Monday seized full control of the city center as well as Kirkuk's Airport, 70th brigade command of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Kirkuk's Northern Oil Company, the Baba Gurgur oil field and K1 Military base in southeastern Kirkuk as part of a military operation in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. The Iraqi army on Monday launched an operation in the oil-rich Kirkuk city on Monday amid tension over last months illegitimate independence referendum in northern Iraqs Kurdish region. Iraqi forces and the Hashd al-Shaabi militia, which supports the government, also seized full control of Tuz Khurmatu district following clashes with Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces. (Photo by Hassan Ghaedi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)