Iraq forces take two key Kirkuk oil field from Kurds

Tuesday, 17 October, 2017 , 08:14

Baghdad, Oct 17, 2017 (AFP) — Iraqi forces took control of the two largest oil fields in the disputed northern province of Kirkuk on Tuesday after Kurdish forces withdrew, police said.

"Federal police units took control of the Bai Hassan and Havana oil fields," north of the city of Kirkuk, a statement said.

The loss of the fields is a major blow for the finances of the autonomous Kurdish government as they accounted for a significant share of the region's oil exports.