Witnesses say the black flags of ISIL were flying Thursday over the site of Iraq’s largest oil refinery, despite the claims of government officials who insist they’re still in control of the facility.
The Associated Press reported sources who said they drove past the Beiji refinery and saw black banners belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant draped across the watch towers. One witness also said ISIL terrorists were on scene, standing guard at various spots on the property — and at least one of the tankers was in flames, AP reported.
Fox News, too, reported the black flag of ISIL was hung above the oil refinery.
Meanwhile, a security official in Baghdad said officials with the government were still inside the refinery, protecting it from ISIL takeover, and that helicopters were flying overheard to help halt attacks, AP said. That same official did admit that ISIL forces had taken over a building located right next to the refinery and were using it as a launch area for attacks on the government security officials.
The Beiji refinery provides about a quarter of the nation’s refining capacity, used for domestic activities like cooking and electric power.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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