UPDATED: security kill 2 attackers, arrest third at Erbil province building

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Internal security forces of Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Asayish, reportedly killed 2 of the three attackers who stormed the Erbil governorate building, and arrested a third who was wounded, Baghdad Today quoted a security source saying.

Later Kurdish media reports said later, however, that all of the three assailants were killed.

Earlier, Iraqi Alforat news website quoted Nebez Abdul-Hamid, mayor of Erbil, saying that three Islamic State militants attacked the Erbil governorate building in Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Abdul-Hamid said the trio shouted “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is greatest )  while storming the facility.

Reports quoted deputy governor Taher Abdullah saying that the gunmen wounded two security officers.

Alghad Press quoted Halan Hormoz, board secretary at the governorate’s office, saying that the attackers stormed the building before the start of the working shifts, assuring that they had held no hostages. But some reports say one employee was freed from the attacker’s grip.

Mawazin News quoted a security source saying that the wounded attacker was transferred to hospital, adding that the group had possibly sneaked into the province from Kirkuk with internal help.

Iraq is still witnessing militant attacks against security forces and civilians even after declaring the defeat of Islamic State militants last year.

Kurdistan’s security situation witnessed tensions after a standoff with Iraqi security forces which took over areas disputed by the central government in Baghdad and Erbil in response to a referendum in which a majority in Kurdistan Region voted for independence from Iraq.