Iraqi forces on Monday took control of a military airport from Kurdish fighters near the disputed city of Kirkuk, following tensions over a controversial independence referendum, the military has said.

Jihadist fighters unleashed a deluge of bombs and gunfire Friday on Iraqi forces punching into the streets of Mosul for the first time, forcing some units into a partial pullback.

Iraqi forces have for the first time entered the outskirts of Mosul, as they attempt to drive Islamic State (IS) militants from the northern city.