ISIS terrorists killed in air strike in eastern Iraq
Iraqi F-16 fighter jet. Photo: US Air Forces Central Command
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi army announced on Friday the elimination of ISIS terrorists in an air strike in Diyala governorate in eastern Iraq, according to a statement cited by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The Iraqi Security Media Cell (ISMC) mentioned in a statement that the air strike was carried out by F-16 fighter jets, in the area of Hamrin in Diyala governorate.
Several terrorists were killed and their hideouts were destroyed, the statement illustrated.
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, confirmed last month that Iraq is able to carry on with the reconstruction process after it defeated ISIS terrorists.
“The Iraqis defeated the terrorist group of ISIS, which is the most barbaric group, and they are now able to continue the reconstruction process,” Al-Sudani said.
Iraq announced in late 2017 the liberation of all its territories from the grip of ISIS, but the authorities are constantly launching security operations to pursue remnants of the terrorist group that carry out attacks from time to time in the country.
The Global Coalition against Daesh (ISIS) reported last April a decline in attacks in Iraq and Syria during the first quarter of 2023, when terrorists were still active despite their defeat.
US Major General Matthew McFarlane, commander of the anti-jihadist coalition, stated that ISIS attacks in Iraq declined by 68 percent from the beginning of 2023 until the first week of April compared to the same period last year, i24 News reported.
In a report issued in February, the United Nations estimated that ISIS still has ‘5,000 to 7,000 members and supporters’ across Iraq and neighboring Syria, ‘roughly half of whom are fighters,’ i24 News added.