At least 170 IS fighters killed in army airstrikes, north of Salahuddin
Iraqi F-16 fighter jets. File photo.
In a statement on Sunday, the Iraqi Defense Ministry said more than 170 IS militants were killed, while several havens and vehicles were destroyed as Iraqi jets launched airstrikes at the military manufacturing region in Shirqat town, north of Salahuddin.
Earlier on Sunday, the media service of the pro-government al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) said security troops, along with the PMUs, attacked IS militants who were trying to infiltrate into north of Salahuddin.
The eastern coast of Shirqat, which lies on the west bank of the Tigris river in Salahuddin province, is still under the IS control, after liberating the western coast few months ago.
In September, Iraqi army said its forces recaptured the town, located south of Mosul, after being surrounded for months by Iraqi troops and the pro-government Shi’ite militias.
IS holds pivotal regions that link between each of Diyala, Salahuddin and Kirkuk, posing threats to the liberated regions. IS havens are expected to be targeted by the Iraqi government, after security achieved victory in Mosul, the group’s biggest stronghold in Iraq.