Iraqi troops destroy three Islamic State hotbeds in Tikrit
Hideout belonging to the Islamic State, found southeast of Baqubah.
Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi security forces destroyed on Tuesday three hotbeds of Islamic State group in Tikrit island in Salahuddin, the Interior Ministry announced.
“A special force of Salahuddin Operations Command carried out a security operation in Tikrit Island, during which three Islamic State hideouts were found,” Alghad Press quoted spokesman for the Security Media Center Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool as saying.
“The troops destroyed the three hotbeds completely,” he said, adding that a huge amount of weaponry and explosive materials were seized.
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.