Air raid kills Islamic State’s security chief, three others in Hawija

Hawija (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State’s security chief was killed in an airstrike in west of Kirkuk , an intelligence source was quoted saying on Tuesday.

“Depending on accurate information, Iraqi fighter jets killed the IS security chief known as abu Fares al-Iraqi in an airstrike while being at one of the group’s headquarters in Hawija,” the source told AlSumaria News. “Three other companions of Iraqi were also killed by the airstrike.”

“The group members in Hawija has been on high alert, and arrested three militants over leaking information to security troops,” the source said. “The group’s so-called legislative court decreed execution of the arrested ones in front other members over treason.”

Hawija, located 55 KM west of Kirkuk, has been held by IS since mid-2014, when the group emerged to proclaim an Islamic “caliphate” in Iraq and Syria. The group executed dozens of civilians and security members there, forcing thousands to flee homes.

Dozens of residents from Hawija and the regions in its vicinity escape to Kirkuk province on a daily basis. Despite the risky routes to the freed regions, the civilians prefer death to staying under IS control.

According to Iraqi generals, the group lost more than 25,000 members during military operations that were launched in October.