The Iraqi government forces say they have countered a massive attack by ISIS terrorists on the country’s largest oil refinery, killing dozens of militants.
The offensive comes after ISIS militants launched their push on the Baiji refinery near the town of Tikrit on Saturday and the fighting continued into Sunday.
However, sources say the militants were eventually pushed back by security forces.
Initial media reports say at least 30 militants were killed in the fighting.
The Baiji refinery has been the site of several battles between government forces and militants over the past few months.
Meanwhile, the ISIS militants in control of the town of Jalawla blew up two bridges to block advances by Kurdish fighters. The Peshmerga fighters have in recent days captured areas near the town which were previously held by the militants.
The town is a strategic point some 130 kilometers northeast of Baghdad. The town has been one of the deadliest flashpoints in Peshmerga's fight against the ISIS.
Iraq has faced brutal violence by ISIS across the country’s north and west since early June. The crisis has deteriorated in recent weeks, as the militants have swept over new towns in the north, forcing members of the minorities out of their homes.
The ISIS terrorists have threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Yazidi Kurds and others, as they continue their advances in Iraq.
They have been committing heinous crimes in the areas they have taken, including the mass execution of civilians as well as Iraqi army troops and officers.
The Iraqi army backed by thousands of volunteers are engaged in fierce fighting with the ISIS militants to push them out of the captured areas.
