Two IS militants killed in bomb blast, north of Salahuddin
Iraqi government forces in Hamreen Mountains in Diyala.
Speaking to AlSumaria News on Sunday, the source said, “two IS militants were killed in a blast as they were trying to plant a bomb in the roads beneath Makhoul mountains.”
“IS mainly depends on bombs, being its last weapon to use against advancing security troops,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added.
Federal Police announced, last week, 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.
Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and the Joint Operations Command announced launch of first phase of operations to liberate Hawija and western Shirqat. Federal Police, Rapid Response and the pro-government Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) took part in the attack, according to the command.
The Iraqi army said in September 2016 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.