IS claims it now controls 'parts' of Iraq's largest Baiji refinery

Islamic State has reportedly released images to support its claims that it now controlled parts of Iraq's largest oil refinery.

The images were released on Sunday and showed storming of the facility, fierce clashes and plumes of smoke rising above the contested site, reported the CNN.

The group said that it launched an offensive on the Baiji oil refinery late Saturday and its fighters had taken control of several buildings inside the refinery by Sunday. However, Iraqi government security officials have denied those claims and insisted that Iraqi forces remained in full control of the refinery.

The facility is just 40 kilometers away from the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit, which was retaken by Iraqi forces and Shiite militias from the IS less than two weeks ago.