US, Iraqi forces retake country's largest oil refinery from IS militants

Iraqi and US-led coalition forces have recaptured the country's largest oil refinery from Islamic State (IS) militants in the northern town of Baiji, said the coalition.

According to CNN, the Combined Joint Task Force said that Iraqi security forces regained complete control of the Baiji refinery.

The task force said in a statement that Iraq is working to fortify the facility's defenses.

The statement said that the coalition conducted 47 airstrikes in the area over the past nine days.

The aim was to push back IS and reduce its ability to threaten Kirkuk province's security, said the statement.