Islamic State attack leaves thirteen civilians killed, injured, south of Salahuddin

Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Thirteen civilians were killed and injured in an attack launched by Islamic State militants, south of Salahuddin, the pro-government paramilitary troops said.

“IS members launched an attacked at midnight against civilians at al-Farhatiya region, north of Balad town, which left four killed and nine others wounded,” the media service of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) said in a statement on Sunday.

The militants, according to the statement, used heavy weapons and bombs before withdrawing. “Security troops imposed control on the region after the confrontations.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced, earlier this month, full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State Sunni extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

A total of 117 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 264 injured, excluding police, in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in November, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Baghdad was the worst affected Governorate, with 201 civilian casualties (51 killed, 150 injured). Salahuddin Governorate followed, with 24 killed and 60 injured, and Kirkuk had 12 killed and 28 injured.