Iraqi commander, companion injured in bomb blast, northeast of Diyala

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) A commander at the Iraqi military and his companion were wounded in a bomb blast, northeast of Diyala, a security source from the province said on Saturday.

“An army commander and his companion were wounded in a bomb blast, as their patrol was passing at Qurret Tabbah region, northeast of Baquba,” the source told AlSumaria News.

“The patrol was combing some checkpoints near Hamreen mountains,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added. “Joint troops then started combing the region fearing further blasts.”

Last month, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

According to the monthly release by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), a total of 69 civilians, excluding police personnel, were killed, while 142 others were wounded in December due to acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict across the country.

The worst affected province was Baghdad with 122 civilian casualties (24 killed, 98 injured). Salahuddin ranked the second place, with 7 killed and 25 injured, then Kirkuk came third with 15 killed and 6 injured.

The figures saw a significant decline from November’s which reached a total of 117 Iraqi civilians killed and another 264 injured.

Thousands of IS militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition, was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group.