Iraqi security forces backed by aircraft have repelled a terrorist attack on a northern Turkmen town, killing 15 militants, a local official said Thursday.

Iraqi security forces backed by aircraft have repelled a terrorist attack on a northern Turkmen town, killing 15 militants, a local official said Thursday.

The attack by Islamic State (IS) terrorists on the town of Amirli took place Wednesday, said Talib al-Bayati, an official from nearby Suleiman Bek.

"Iraqi forces, with the help of military aircraft, repelled an attack on Amirli on three sides and killed 15 gunmen, according to an initial toll," said Bayati.