Picture used for illustrative purposes only.

Thirteen Iraqi policemen were killed in a Daesh attack against a checkpoint in the country's north early on Sunday, security and medical sources said.

A senior Iraqi police officer said the attackers clashed for two hours with police stationed at a village in the town of Rashad, 30 km (18 miles) southwest of northern city of Kirkuk.

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According to the sources, militants used roadside bombs to prevent police reinforcements from reaching the post, destroying three police vehicles.

The attack, in the region of Al-Rashad around 65 kilometres (40 miles) south of Kirkuk city, took place just after midnight.

"Members of Daesh organisation targeted a federal police checkpoint," said the officer, who did not want to be named.

"Thirteen were killed and three wounded" among the security forces, the officer added.

A medical source based in Kirkuk confirmed the toll.