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Islamic State: Militants enter western Iraqi town of Rutba Mosul offensive: Kurdish forces launch attacks on IS in Bashiqa
(about 2 hours later)
Forces of so-called Islamic State launched an attack in Iraq on a town in western Anbar province in an apparent attempt to divert attention from the government's offensive on Mosul. Kurdish forces have carried out new attacks on positions of so-called Islamic State north-east of Mosul to retake the the town of Bashiqa.
The mayor of Rutba described the Islamic State (IS) assault on his town from three directions as "fierce". Kurdish Peshmerga commanders said they made large advances into IS territory and secured part of a highway that will limit IS's freedom of movement.
Several policemen died as security forces sought to regain control. In an attempt to divert attention from the Mosul offensive, IS militants attacked a town in the west on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Kurdish Peshmerga forces launched fresh attacks to the north-east of Mosul which is occupied by IS. The Iraqi military says the situation in Rutba is now "under control".
The town, in Iraq's western Anbar province, had been under IS control since 2014, but was taken back into government hands four months ago.
As the pressure builds on IS in and around Mosul, the group has been counter-attacking with suicide bombers and launching assaults in other areas.As the pressure builds on IS in and around Mosul, the group has been counter-attacking with suicide bombers and launching assaults in other areas.
Rutba mayor, Imad al-Dulaimi, said insurgents had gained access to the city through IS sleeper cells. It had been under IS control since 2014, but was taken back into government hands four months ago. The top US commander in Iraq, Lt Gen Stephen Townsend told reporters there had been "considerable success" in Bashiqa on Sunday.
On Friday, IS attacked the city of Kirkuk, 170km (105 miles) south-east of Mosul. At least 46 people were killed and many more injured. But he cautioned: "I have not received a report that says every house has been cleared, every Daesh [IS fighter] has been killed and every IED [roadside bomb] has been removed."
Kirkuk, a major oil-producing centre, was under curfew and there were reports of continuing sporadic clashes on Sunday. Journalists have not yet been allowed into the town.
Reuters TV footage, shot from a nearby village, showed smoke rising from Bashiqa as Kurdish fighters launched attacks against IS with mortars and machine guns.
Bashiqa is close to a military base where Turkish troops are training Sunni and Kurdish fighters.
Is the IS group finished?Is the IS group finished?
Voices from Mosul as battle nearsVoices from Mosul as battle nears
Dodging ghosts of IS in the desertDodging ghosts of IS in the desert
Turkey insists forces cannot remain idleTurkey insists forces cannot remain idle
IS's Amaq news agency posted a video on Sunday purporting to show people celebrating in Mosul after the attack on Kirkuk. On Friday, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter suggested Turkey should play a role in the Mosul offensive, but the Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi balked at the idea, telling the US that there is no need for Turkish forces yet.
Although the assault on Rutba had little effect on the Mosul offensive, it is another reminder of the threat IS still poses in Iraq, says the BBC's Middle East analyst Sebastian Usher. Turkey has insisted that its forces cannot remain idle during the fight to drive IS militants from Mosul.
On Sunday morning, Kurdish forces say they carried out new attacks on IS positions near the town of Bashiqa. Mr Carter, who is visiting Kurdish officials in Erbil, said the US was planning simultaneous operations against IS in Mosul and in the group's Syrian stronghold Raqaa, AP reports.
Reuters TV footage showed smoke rising from the town as Kurdish fighters launched attacks against IS with mortars and machine guns. He said Washington wanted to begin military operations against IS fighters in Raqaa "as soon as possible".
US Secretary of State Ash Carter, in talks with the Iraqi Kurdish region President, Masoud Barzani, praised the Peshmerga as "exceptionally capable and essential". A US-led coalition is backing the assault on Mosul with warplanes and military advisers.
"I'm here to commend you and your forces. I'm encouraged by what I see. We appreciate your friendship," Mr Carter said. Some 30,000 Iraqi security force personnel, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia militiamen are involved in the offensive.
Turkey has insisted that its forces cannot remain idle during the fight to drive so-called Islamic State militants from the Iraqi city of Mosul, but Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi has told the US that there is no need for Turkish forces yet. Mosul offensive in detail
The UN says that 5,000 people have been displaced so far by the recent fighting near Mosul. It expects another 200,000 will be uprooted in the coming weeks. The UN says that 5,000 people have been displaced so far by the recent fighting around Mosul. It expects another 200,000 will be uprooted in the coming weeks.
Coalition fighters have continued to push back IS positions around Mosul, with reports saying troops have advanced within 5km (3miles) from the city. Coalition fighters have continued to push back IS positions around Mosul. Peshmerga commanders say advanced within 9km (5.5miles) from the city.
On Thursday Kurdish fighters re-captured the predominantly Christian town of Bartella, which Iraqi counter-terrorism officials say is a key to the larger offensive.