Iraqi militants attack country's main oil refinery

Militants attacked parts of the refinery complex, leading to heavy clashes.

By AFP Wednesday 18 Jun 2014, 8:21 AM

Jun 18th 2014, 8:21 AM 3,661 Views 27 Comments

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Image: AP/Press Association Images

Image: AP/Press Association Images

MILITANTS ATTACKED IRAQ’S main oil refinery early today as they pressed an offensive that has seen them capture swathes of territory, a manager and a refinery employee said.

Clashes erupted at around 4:00 am (0100 GMT) at the Baiji refinery in Salaheddin province, north of Baghdad, and some tanks containing refined products caught fire.

A senior manager of the state-owned North Oil Company said militants attacked parts of the refinery complex, leading to heavy clashes.

A refinery employee said there had been casualties among security force personnel and that staff had fled.

Officials told AFP on Tuesday that the refinery had been shut down and many employees evacuated, because major towns seized by the militants, including second city Mosul, were no longer being supplied with refined products.

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Iraqi militants attack country's main oil refinery