Iraqi troops kill eight Islamic State suicide bombers in Kirkuk
A picture shows Islamic State military doing a military exercise
Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) – Iraqi troops killed on Thursday eight Islamic State suicide bombers during a security operation in Kirkuk, security sources were quoted as saying.
Speaking exclusively to Baghdad Today website, the sources said, “Iraqi security force killed eight IS militants, wearing explosive belts, after besieging them in southwestern Kirkuk to deal a big blow to the militant group there.”
There was a woman among the IS suicide bombers but her identity was not revealed, according to the sources.
Four troops of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) were injured in the operation.
Kirkuk officials previously urged reinforcing military troops in the south and west of the province, as the region still has Islamic State members who escaped during liberation of Hawija to remote areas.
The Islamic State group appeared on the international scene in 2014 when it seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, declaring the establishment of an Islamic “caliphate” from Mosul city. Later on, the group has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings, prompting the U.S. to lead an international coalition to destroy it.
Despite the group’s crushing defeat at its main havens across Iraq last year, Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks against troops with security reports warning that the militant group still poses a threat against stability in the country.