By ISW Iraq Team
Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and "Popular Mobilization" recaptured
the Baiji Oil Refinery on October 21 following operations to recapture Baiji
city on October 14. Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi then visited Baiji city on
October 23, marking the city's full recapture. ISW is thus upgrading Baiji and
the Baiji Oil Refinery from Contested to ISF-held locations. PUK Peshmerga have
also maintained limited gains in villages in southern Kirkuk near Taza and
Daquq as part of anti-ISIS operations that began on September 12. ISIS has not
launched substantive counter-attacks against the Peshmerga in these areas, and
they remain under Peshmerga control. ISW has thus expanded the Populated areas
under PUK Peshmerga control in southern Kirkuk.
