The fires are still burning after an assault by the militant Sunni group ISIL in northern Iraq.

The Islamic movement briefly seized this village, just outside of the city of Kirkuk.

But Kurdish forces and Kirkuk police pushed back, fending off the insurgents.

Now the Kurd soldiers are fanning the area, searching for any remaining militants.

In the past week, ISIL's made a lightening advance through the north.

There's been heavy fighting and casualties on both sides but for these Kurds the conflict has brought them one step closer to their long cherished dream -- full independence.

At the expense of the Iraqi army, the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters have rushed in and occupied areas they've always believed were part of their ethnic homeland.

Their main concern now is guarding their region and their newly acquired territory.