Even as they lose ground around Mosul, IS militants showed their capacity for guerilla warfare, deploying 100-man squads to exploit security gaps in Kirkuk and Anbar.
Kurdish forces cordon off villages around Bashiqa, north of Mosul, pushing their front lines within 9 kilometers of the city.
Three improvised explosive devices have hit Basra city in the past three days, highlighting ongoing security problems.
IS militants aggressively defend villages around Mosul in a day of grinding battles and casualties.
A multi-pronged offensive by various Iraqi security forces marks the start of Iraq’s climactic battle against the Islamic State group.
Iraqi forces are in final position to begin their assault on IS militants in Mosul, awaiting only an official order from Prime Minister Abadi, which many officers expect early Sunday.
Security forces repel attack, but new wellhead fires are emitting noxious smoke and choking civilians who had just begun to resettle.
Upcoming offensive could push IS out of Kirkuk province, further squeezing Mosul and reducing threats to northern oil infrastructure.
Assassination marks first killing of senior North Oil Company official since spate of murders last year.
After two battles with IS fighters near Chemchemal, security forces are racing to root out militants setting up insurgent cells within KRG-controlled territory.
