Army airstrikes kill five Islamic State members, northeastern Baqubah
Aerial bombardment. File photo.
Speaking to AlSumaria News, Maj. Gen. Mazhar al-Azzawi, commander of Dijla Operations, said “aerial bombardment targeted IS rest house near al-Assyoud village, north of Muqdadiyah. Three militants, including a leader, were killed.”
“The shelling was the second of its kind in Diyala, today, after shelling another rest house in Hamreen, where two suicide attackers were killed,” Azzawi added.
Earlier on the day, Azzawi said “Iraqi jets shelling a rest house in Hamreen, leaving two militants killed and the rest house completely destroyed.”
“Military units arrived at the targeted place and seized explosives,” he added.
On Friday, Azzawi said Iraqi fighter jets targeted an IS vehicle near Hamreen lake, killing four militants on board and destroying the vehicle completely.
Attacks launched by Islamic State militants against security troops, the pro-government forces and civilians surged over the past few weeks in northeast of Diyala, which urge the Iraqi forces to prevent the militants infiltration between Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces, especially the regions stretching along Hamreen mountains and Al-Azeem town.
IS holds pivotal regions that link between each of Diyala, Salahuddin and Kirkuk, posing threats to the liberated regions.
The government and military commanders are expected to wage operations at other IS havens across the country, including Diyala, in order to mark an end to the group’s self-styled “caliphate” declared by the group in 2014.