Iraqi forces march into Kirkuk

Iraqi forces have marched into the centre of Kirkuk after seizing key installations from Kurdish forces, including an oil field and the airport. Despite a government order to avoid violence, some clashes have broken out, sending civilians fleeing the disputed city. Kirkuk has been controlled by the Kurds since 2014, but it’s officially part of Iraq, under the government in Baghdad.

The Iraqi government has moved its forces now in an effort to prevent the Kurds from declaring an independent state including Kirkuk.