Islamic State executes main guide, east of Salahuddin
Islamic State members while execution.
“Abu Ikrima al-Iraqi, an old IS fighter in Mutaibija, east of Salahuddin, was shot dead by the group near one of the rest houses,” the source told AlSumaria News.
Iraqi, according to the source, “is originally from Mutaibija. He used to be one of the group’s main guides for convoys coming toward Mutaibija especially from Hawija. The reasons behind his execution are still unknown.”
Occasional attacks have been witnessed in Mutaibija 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, Jaafar al-Battat, the service’s chief of staff of the Federal Police, said in remarks that troops completed their mobilizations and are awaiting orders from the supreme commander of the armed forces to move towards Shirqat, the group’s haven located north of the province.
Pivotal regions that link between each of Diyala, Salahuddin and Kirkuk, are still held by the militants which poses threats to the liberated regions. Iraqi troops are urged to prevent the militants infiltration between Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces, especially the regions stretching along Hamreen mountains and Al-Azeem town.
It’s expected that the Iraqi government will head towards liberating other IS strongholds across Iraq, including in Salahuddin.