Iraqi policeman killed in Islamic State attack on police patrol in Kirkuk
Security forces defend their headquarters against attacks by Islamic State during sand storm in Ramadi. (AP Photo)
Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) – An Iraqi policeman was killed late Saturday in an attack by Islamic State militants in al Riyadh district in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, a security source was quoted as saying on Sunday.
Speaking to Alsumaria News TV channel, the source said that IS militants attacked on Saturday night a police patrol in al-Tarfawi region off Hamrin mountains in Kirkuk, leaving a policeman and an untold number of his guards killed.
Iraqi warplanes managed to kill the assailants before they could flee the area.
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 terrorist 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, 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.