Iraqi air forces strike oil refineries in north

Air forces, loyal to Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, reportedly struck several targets in Mosul, which has been controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, since June 10.

Iraqi warplanes fired two missiles at the 'Kayara' oil refinery and then hit 'Hammam al-Alil" oil facilities in the north of Mosul, according to tribal Sunni groups in the province.

The strike gave rise to a huge fire in the oil refinery that has provided electricity to Mosul and some surrounding provinces. Fire crews put out the blazes that engulfed the building, after hours of effort.

The 'Kayara" oil refinery has been seized by militants of ISIL and a number of armed Sunni groups, affiliated with the Iraqi Tribal Revolutionarie, more than a month.

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, or IISS, a UK-based think tank focusing on international security, Iran has sent military aircraft to support Iraq's Shiite premier in his offensive against ISIL militants.

While Russia has supplied Baghdad with three aircraft in recent days, the US government has provided unmanned aerial vehicles, UAV, and 300 special forces, mainly advisors, to help in the battle against the Sunni militant group ISIL.

The strikes have mainly targeted power stations, food, water and fuel facilities in Mosul, Tiqrit and al-Anbar, seized by the al-Qaeda off-shoot, leading tension between ISIL and local residents, who could not cover their basic needs.

Tribal leaders in Mosul urged ISIL to find a solution to the shortage of fuel and electricity. Local residents still suffer from shortage of water, food and electricity in the provinces hit by Iraqi war planes.