Islamic State execute soldier who infiltrated Salahuddin stronghold

Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militants executed on Thursday an Iraqi army soldier after he sneaked into the group’s stronghold town of Sharqat, Salahuddin, a security source has told AlMada Press.

“An Iraqi army element had managed to infiltrate regions held by the Islamic State in the eastern section of Sharqat to carry out a mission there, but group members managed to arrest and execute him,” said the source, who asked not to be named.

“An Iraqi army force entered that region and retrieved the dead body,” he added.

IS has been infamous for boasting executions of its opponents since it emerged to the scene in 2014.

Iraqi forces declared Sharqat free from IS last July, but the group seems to maintain an effective presence at some regions there. Government and US-led coalition fighter jets occasionally pound the extremist group’s hideouts in the province.

The province’s council warned last Sunday against halting security operations in Sharqat, highlighting dire humanitarian conditions in that region.

Iraqi and international forces are currently engaged in a more decisive battle at the city of Mosul, Nineveh, to drive IS out of its last major bastion in the country.

The United Nations says at least 12000 Iraqis, including security personnel, were killed in various incidents of violence during 2016, including military operations.