Intense clashes erupted between the Iraqi army and armed men at the gates of the city of al-Azim in Diyala Province. These sources said armed men are also attacking the city of Samarra, north of Baghdad.
A Kurdish Pishmarga unit has taken control of areas around the oil-rich city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq where army forces had retreated from. Armed groups are continuing their advances and they have taken control over vast areas of Salahddin Province, releasing the inmates of Tikrit’s Tasfirat Prison.
The Iraqi Parliament failed in holding a session on this issue due to the low turn-out of MPs, leading to Maliki – whose term as prime minister has ended – to leave the parliament session.
This session was to discuss the announcement of a status of emergency after armed men gained control over Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city. Activists have posted footages on the Internet showing a gathering of Mosul locals celebrating the liberation of their city from the Army forces.
Security conditions are gradually stabilizing in Mosul, allowing stores to open, activists said.