Six pro-gov’t fighters killed, wounded in Islamic State attack in Kirkuk
Unidentified gunmen attack a checkpoint of Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi
Kirkuk (Iraqinews.com) – Six Iraqi pro-government fighters were killed and wounded Wednesday in an attack launched by Islamic State on a village in Kirkuk.
A security source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper that “IS militants stormed al-Bashir village in southern Kirkuk, and clashed with the security forces and al-Hashd al-Shaabi fighters deployed there for two hours.”
“The fierce clashes between the two sides left a member of al-Hashd al-Shaabi dead and five others wounded,” according to the source.
The source added that the IS militants “fled the scene immediately after the attack.”
Kirkuk officials always urge reinforcing military troops in the south and west of the province, as the region still has Islamic State members who escaped during liberation of Hawija to remote areas.
The Islamic State group appeared on the international scene in 2014 when it seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, declaring the establishment of an Islamic “caliphate” from Mosul city.
Later on, the group has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings, prompting the U.S. to lead an international coalition to destroy it.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced In December full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring the end of war against IS members.
Despite the group’s crushing defeat at its main havens across Iraq, Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks against troops with security reports warning that the militant group still poses a threat against stability in the country.