Iranian-backed PMFs foil Islamic State attack on security checkpoint in Diyala
Paramilitary fighters and military vehicles are seen during a military operation to retake positions held by Islamic State militants, on the outskirts of Muqdadiyah in Diyala province, north of Baghdad January 25, 2015. Picture taken January 25, 2015. REUTERS
Diyala (IraqiNews.com) – The Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMFs) foiled on Tuesday an armed attack by Islamic State militants on one of their security checkpoints in eastern Diyala, a local source was quoted as saying.
Speaking to the Baghdad Post website, the source said that a group of Islamic State militants launched an armed attack on a PMF checkpoint on the outskirts of Sharwin village in eastern Diyala, but no casualties were reported.
According to the source, “the Islamic State militants used heavy and medium weapons in their assault,” adding that the security situation in the village is now under control.
In January 2015, Iraqi forces announced liberation of Diyala province from Islamic State extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.
The province has seen months of fighting between Iraqi troops and IS militants especially in the Jalawla and Saadiyah areas in the province’s north and areas near the town of Muqdadiyah.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared last December final victory over Islamic State three years after the militant group captured about a third of Iraq’s territory.