Several Islamic State militants killed in shelling on Iraqi-Syrian borders

Nineveh (IraqiNews.com) Several Islamic State members were killed in a missile shelling on the borders between Iraq and Syria, the pro-government paramilitary troops said on Monday.

In a statement, al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) said, “the 28th brigade, backed by the artillery, managed to shell a group of IS members in al-Sayba region, on the borders between Iraq and Syria, as they attempted attacking the troops.”

The troops, according to the statement, “managed to kill several militants and destroy their vehicles.”

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said, earlier this month, that security troops will follow IS militants in the whole region, not only in Iraq. Abadi announced, in December, full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members. PMFs had previously gained complete control on Iraqi-Syrian borders.

The Iraqi-Syrian borders are under the control of joint troops of military and border guards.

Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.

Thousands of IS militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.