Nine IS militants killed as Iraqi troops repulse attack in Salahuddin
Masked men while carrying out an armed attack. File photo.
“Nine militants, including a leader, attempted attacking security troops deployed near al-Zarka bridge, west of Tuz Khurmatu. However, troops managed to repulse the attack and kill them in an airstrike,” Maj. Gen. Mazhar al-Azzawi, commander of Dijla Operations, told Alghad Press on Sunday.
“Troops deployed between Salahuddin and Diyala are taking measures to control the situation,” he added.
IS holds pivotal regions that link between each of Diyala, Salahuddin and Kirkuk, posing threats to the liberated regions.
On Saturday, Federal Police announced liberation of eastern Shirqat, the group’s holdout in north of Salahuddin.
225 militants had been killed since the launch of operations in Shirqat, Jawdat previously announced. The group reportedly started collective executions of members who attempted to flee battles in Salahuddin to Hawija, the group’s stronghold in neighboring Kirkuk where parallel security operations are running to retake militants-held regions.
The Iraqi army said in September its forces recaptured the western coast of Shirqat, located south of Mosul, on the west bank of the Tigris river, after being surrounded for months by Iraqi troops and the pro-government Shi’ite militias.