CAIRO, June 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Militants from the Sunni group Islamic State of Iraq and Levant linked to al-Qaeda took control of Mosul in northern Iraq, Al Arabiya TV channel reported.

The clashes between armed extremists and Iraqi security forces in Mosul began on Tuesday morning. According to Sky News Arabia, the fighting took place near the headquarters of the Armed Forces of Nineveh province and the regional administration.

The extremists managed to occupy the governor's office after guards had escaped. Then the militants moved to the southern outskirts of the city, where the military airfield, army base and security forces jail are located. Hundreds of the most dangerous prisoners escaped. Strategic objects came under the command of extremists. Arms dumps and guns, as well as the central bank, were seized by the militants.

Iraqi police and army forces abandoned their posts in the city of Mosul, which shocked the locals, the governor said.