Islamic State terrorist killed in clashes with security forces in Diyala

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) – An Islamic State terrorist was killed Saturday in a firefight with Iraqi security forces in Diyala province, a security source said.

Speaking to Mawazin News, the source said that security forces clashed with an Islamic State member on the outskirts of Mandali town in Balad Ruz district, Diyala, leaving him dead.

“The clashes also left a police officer wounded,” the source said, adding that the security situation is now under control.

Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in November 2017 with the recapture of Rawa, a city on Anbar’s western borders with Syria, which was the group’s last bastion in Iraq.

IS declared a self-styled “caliphate” in a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014. A government campaign, backed by a U.S.-led international coalition and paramilitary forces, was launched in 2016 to retake IS-held regions, managing to retake all havens, most notably the city of Mosul, the group’s previously proclaimed capital.