Heavy fights between Iraqis and Kurds, reports of many dead (Photo)

The federal army, backed by Shiite militants, said they seized control of the city's international airport, as well as an oil field, a strategic K1 military base and the Tazza Khormatou neighbourhood in the southeastern Kirkuk on Monday.

Kurdish forces known as Peshmerga were opening at the end of the airport after withdrawing from their positions outside the northern city, reports “Al Jazeera”, Periscopi broadcasts.

Hundreds of Kurdish armed residents were taking their positions in the city, defending themselves against the Iraqi army attacks.

Residents of the multiethnic city, with about one million Arabs, Kurds, Turks and Christians, stayed indoors and reported that they were hearing spray bombings, which they said sounded like grants.

The Kurdistan Region Security Council said in a statement that Pesmerga destroyed at least five humvee armoured vehicles used by state militia sanctioned following the attack south of the city.

A commander of Iraqi forces said fighting with Kurdish forces caused <x0... too many casualties” without providing a specific number.

Brigadier General Bahzad Ahmed said Iraqi troops “burned many houses and killed a lot of people” in Tuz Khurmatou and Dakuq, south of the contested city.

His claims could not be verified independently.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a statement that the offensive aimed at protecting national unity.

“It is my constitutional duty to work for the benefit of citizens and to protect our national unity that was threatened with fragmentation as a result of the referendum that was organised by the Kurdish region”, Abad said.

The “Referendum came at a time when the country is fighting against terrorism that came in the form of ISIL. We tried to encourage Kurds not to violate the constitution and focus on fighting ISII, but they didn't listen... They chose personal interests over Iraqi interests”.

Tensions between the two sides have been particularly high since Iraqi Kurds voted mainly for secession in last month's referendum Baghdad dismissed as illegal.

Shortly after the referendum, the Iraqi parliament urged al-Abad to send troops to Kirkuk and take over oil fields in the region.

Later in the day, the United States called on Iraqi and Kurdish forces to avoid eskating and to return to dialogue on resolving their differences.

“We continue to support a united Iraq,” said Pentagon spokesman Laura Seal.

However fortunately the Kurdistan regional government's decision to follow a unilateral referendum, dialogue remains the best option to ease continued tensions and long-term issues, in line with the Iraqi Constitution”, she added.. /Periscopi/

Iraqi Force. PMF now advanced from Tasa in South of Kirkuk in a major op w/intension to end the quality and takeover K1 bass & oil fields.

) Chief Security Council (@ KRSCPress) October 15, 2017