Explosion kills, injures, three Islamic State militants, eastern Salahuddin

Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Three Islamic State militants were killed and injured as an explosion occurred in east of Salahuddin, a local source said.

“A vehicle carrying IS militants in Mutaibija, Salahuddin, exploded, leaving two militants killed and a third wounded, in accordance with preliminary information,” the source told AlSumaria News on Friday.

“It’s unknown if the blast was due to aerial bombardment or explosives on board of the vehicle,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added.

Occasional attacks have been witnessed in Mutaibija by Islamic State against government and paramilitary troops deployments since Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and PMUs, launched a major offensive to retake areas occupied by IS since 2014.

Earlier this week, Jaafar al-Battat, the service’s chief of staff of the Federal Police, said in remarks that troops completed their mobilizations and are awaiting orders from the supreme commander of the armed forces to move towards Shirqat, the group’s haven located north of the province.

Pivotal regions that link between each of Diyala, Salahuddin and Kirkuk, are still held by the militants which poses threats to the liberated regions. Iraqi troops are urged to prevent the militants infiltration between Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces, especially the regions stretching along Hamreen mountains and Al-Azeem town.

It’s expected that the Iraqi government will head towards liberating other IS strongholds across Iraq, including in Salahuddin.