Islamic State attack foiled on borders between Diyala-Salahuddin
Iraqi police forces in Diyala
“Al-Hashd al-Shaabi [Popular Mobilization Forces], backed by Federal Police encountered an attack by IS members near Salahuddin,” the source told Baghdad Today.
“The attack targeted checkpoints for PMFs in al-Bu Eissa village, on borders between Salahuddin and located adjacent to Mutaibija,” the source said.
The joint troops, according to the source, “prevented the militants from penetrating the security checkpoints and forced them to flee.”
“The attack did not leave human losses among the troops,” he said.
Mutaibija has complicated terrain, with numerous hills that serve as a good hideout for militants. Occasional attacks have been witnessed there by Islamic State against government and paramilitary troops deployments since Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and PMUs, launched a major offensive to retake areas occupied by IS since 2014.
Last week, Mohamed Daifan al-Ebeidi, head of the town’s local council, told Alghad Press, joint troops thwarted an attack against a checkpoint on the borders of the liberated al-BouEissa village, located in the vicinity of Udhaim town, from Salahuddin direction.
An attack against the al-Safra border crossing, north of Diyala, was repulsed by troops, earlier the month, leaving three security personnel killed and three others wounded.