17 mercenaries were killed as terrorists fighting the Iraqi government have turned their weapons on each other, media reported on Saturday.

17 mercenaries were killed as terrorists fighting the Iraqi government have turned their weapons on each other, media reported on Saturday.

The infighting erupted on Friday evening between terrorists of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Levant and the Army of the Men of the Naqshbandiyah Order (JRTN) in Hawija, in Kirkuk province, Agence France Presse quoted sources as saying.

There were differing accounts as to what sparked the firefight, with one security official said JRTN fighters had refused an ISIL demand to give up their weapons and pledge allegiance to the jihadist force.

Witnesses, however, told AFP the two sides clashed over who would take over multiple fuel tankers in the area.

Meanwhile, ISIL insurgents took control of Iraq-Syria border point took control of an Iraq-Syria border crossing after Syria terrorists withdrew overnight, security officers and witnesses said.

The sources said insurgents took control of the Al-Qaim border crossing, one of three official border points between Iraq and Syria, after gunmen linked to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front left.