Iraqi government forces took control of "vast areas" in the region of Kirkuk, including oil fields west of the city, in the early hours of Monday, Iraqi state TV said, but the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) disputed the assertions.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi gave orders to the security forces "to impose security in Kirkuk in cooperation with the population of the city and the peshmerga," the TV said.
The elite, U.S.-trained "Counter Terrorism Service, the 9th armored division and Federal Police have taken control of vast areas of Kirkuk without confrontations," it said, adding that oil fields and Kurdish military positions were captured.
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