ERBIL - The Islamic State (IS) militants have destroyed a number of water pipelines in the disputed Kurdish province of Kirkuk, an official said on Monday.

Talking to Turkish media outlet Anadolu Agency, Majid Ahmed, a commander from the federal police in Kirkuk, said that the extremists have destroyed four pipelines in the past few days.

He noted that the attack had cut off the water supplies to 14 villages around the city, adding that the insurgents have apparently shifted their focus from the electricity towers to the water resources.

"Tens of thousands of residents in the regions are currently suffering from water shortage," Ahmed concluded.