Three suicide attackers killed as troops thwart terrorist attack in Baghdad

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Three militants were killed as Iraqi troops thwarted terrorist attempt to target attacks in Baghdad and southern provinces, the military media said.

In a statement on Saturday, the Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell said, “Federal Police’s intelligence revealed about a cell that plans for terrorist operations in Baghdad and southern provinces to target Shia visitors.”

“According to information, the terrorists assigned suicide bombers to carry out the operations,” the statement said indicating coordination with troops in Ramadi, backed by army jets, to attack the cell.

“The clashes left three attackers killed including abu Baraa al-Turkmani. Explosives were found,” it added.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State Sunni extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

A monthly count by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), which excludes security members deaths, said 297 Iraqis, were killed and injured due to violence and armed conflicts during the month of ِAugust. Baghdad was the most affected province with 45 deaths and 135 injuries.

The capital has seen almost daily bombings and armed attacks against security members, paramilitary groups and civilians since the Iraqi government launched a wide-scale campaign to retake IS-occupied areas in 2016. While most of of the explosions and attacks went without a claim of responsibility, Islamic State has claimed several incidents.

Despite the group’s defeat in its main havens across Iraqi provinces, observers believe the group may still constitute a security threat.