Islamic State suicide bomber killed in attack, north of Salahuddin

Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militant has been killed as the pro-government paramilitary troops have repulsed an attack in north of Salahuddin, a security source said.

“Al-Hashd al-Shaabi [Popular Mobilization Forces] managed to repel infiltration attempt against units in north Salahuddin in direction of southwest of Nineveh desert,” the source told Baghdad Today on Saturday.

“Troops managed to kill an IS militant who was trying blow up himself,” the source said, adding that forces are still looking for others.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and the Joint Operations Command announced on September 21, the launch of first phase of operations to liberate Hawija and eastern Shirqat, north of Salahuddin. Federal Police, Rapid Response and the pro-government Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) took part in the attack, according to the command.

In late September, Federal Police announced liberation of eastern Shirqat. 225 militants had been killed since the launch of operations in Shirqat.

Last year, the Iraqi army recaptured the western coast of Shirqat, located south of Mosul on the west bank of the Tigris river, after being surrounded for months by Iraqi troops and the pro-government Shia-led militias.

Iraqi troops still have only western Anbar’s towns of Rawa and Qaim remain under the militant’s control.