Four Islamic State members arrested in joint operation,north of Diyala
Representational photo
Speaking to Alghad Press, Maj. Gen. Mazhar al-Azzawi, said “a joint operation was carried out by the army, police and each of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) and tribal fighters, backed by the army jets, to purge the regions between Tuz Khurmatu, Kefri, Qurret Tabah and Baghdad-Kirkuk road, north of Diyala. It destroyed a headquarter for the group, six vehicles and five motorbikes.”
“Four Islamic State members, including two of the most dangerous militants, were arrested,” he said describing this as the most important outcome of the operation.
The operation, according to Azzawi, “is still ongoing. We will announce the outcome after the operation is finished.”
Earlier today, a senior security source from the province, announced launching a wide-scale military operation to follow the remnants of the militant group in the north of Diyala.
On Friday, Two soldiers were wounded in an armed attack against a security checkpoint at the outskirts of Hawi al-Udhaim region, north of Diyala.
Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.
Thousands of Islamic State 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, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June, 2014.