Iraq: 500,000 flee Mosul after militants attack

Islamist insurgents have attacked the Iraqi city of Tikrit after overrunning Mosul, security sources say.

They say the militants are now in control of some parts of Tikrit - Saddam Hussein's hometown which lies just 150km (95 miles) north of Baghdad.

Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki has vowed to fight back against the jihadists and punish those in the security forces who have deserted.

The insurgents are from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS).

As many as 500,000 people fled Mosul after the militants attacked there. The head of the Turkish mission in Mosul and 48 officials are among many people being held by the militants, Turkish officials say.

The insurgents moved quickly south, entering the town of Baiji late on Tuesday before moving on towards Tikrit.

Heavy clashes are reported in Tikrit, with dozens of insurgents reportedly fighting security forces near the headquarters of the Salaheddin provincial government in the city centre.