Two Islamic State militants killed while trying to infiltrate into Iraq’s Baiji
An Iraqi solider waves the “V” victory sign following a great triumph over the Islamic State group
Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) – Two Islamic State militants were killed Wednesday while trying to infiltrate into Baiji district in Salahuddin, a security source was quoted as saying.
Speaking to Almaalomah website, the source said “a security force from al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) killed the pair as they were trying to sneak into Baiji district via desert routes.”
The source added that there is a security presence across the desert areas in Baiji to foil any infiltration attempt by Islamic State militants.
Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence last November with the recapture of Rawa, a city on Anbar’s western borders with Syria, which was the group’s last bastion in Iraq.
IS declared a self-styled “caliphate” in a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014. A government campaign, backed by a U.S.-led international coalition and paramilitary forces, was launched in 2016 to retake IS-held regions, managing to retake all havens, most notably the city of Mosul, the group’s previously proclaimed capital.
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.