Twenty IS militants killed as troops repulsed attack in Salahuddin
Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) in Salahuddin.
“Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) repulsed on Tuesday evening a huge attack that lasted for several hours by IS militants coming from Hawija, Kirkuk, in an attempt to regain control on al-Zarka strategic bridge, which links Tuz Khurmatu and Tikrit,” a security source from Salahuddin said.
“Troops killed 16 militants and injured four others,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added.
On Sunday, a similar attack was thwarted by troops deployed near al-Zarka bridge, leaving nine militants killed.
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.