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Iraqi Forces Retake Baiji Refinery


Iraqi forces are reported to have retaken most of the country's largest oil refinery from Islamic State (IS) militants.

A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS said troops had recaptured all of Baiji refinery shortly before noon on April 18.

However, officials in Salahuddin, the province where the facility is located, said there was still fighting in the area.

IS militants seized parts of the large complex in northern Iraq earlier this week.

The Baiji refinery produced around 175,000 barrels per day before it shut in June when IS fighters seized it at the same time as the city of Mosul.

IS insurgents suffered a major defeat this month when Iraqi troops and Shi'ite paramilitaries routed them from the city of Tikrit, but struck back at Baiji and in the western province of Anbar.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

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