Nine Iraq Forces Killed In Clashes With IS North Of Baghdad
Sumaira FH Published September 02, 2016 | 06:30 PM
SAMARRA, Iraq, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd September, 2016) - Fighters from the Islamic State group killed nine members of the Iraqi security forces in clashes that broke out in a remote area north of Baghdad, security officials said Friday.
The clashes broke out when IS fighters based in the Hamreen mountain range attacked army and police forces in an area called Mutaibijah, 110 kilometres (70 miles) north of Baghdad. The area lies on the banks of the Udhaim river, near the mountain hideouts where pockets of jihadists remained after Iraqi forces reconquered most regions east of the Tigris in 2015 and 2016.
"We have nine killed and 24 wounded among the security forces," an army lieutenant colonel from the Samarra operations command told AFP. "The attack started around 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) last night," he said.
A lieutenant colonel in the Federal police said "Daesh (IS) fighters came down the river and down the mountain to attack security checkpoints.
" He said that IS fighters eventually pulled back and that the security forces were back in control of the area.
A security official in Dhuluiyah, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) south of the site of the attack, said tribal fighters from his town tried to assist the security forces. "They were stuck on the road because of security restrictions...
but when they reached the area, they saw destroyed military vehicles and bodies of security forces completely charred," he said. The jihadists no longer have fixed positions in populated areas in the region but there is an unknown number of militants holed up in the Hamreen mountains, a range that cuts across the provinces of Diyala and Salaheddin.
Iraqi security forces are battling IS further north as part of shaping operations for a broad offensive against Mosul, a large northern city which is the jihadists' last major urban stronghold in Iraq.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard
Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on reform agenda, engagement with IMF
Finland says Russian vessel violated its territorial waters
Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine
West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third Test
Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murder of nationalist ex-MP
Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris opening ceremony
Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inauguration reception
Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Zardari at Governor's House
Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympic coach sent home: official
Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fighting against SL
'Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: What we know
More Stories From World
-
Biden talks Gaza ceasefire efforts with king of Jordan
5 hours ago -
Sinaloa Cartel co-founder pleads not guilty after stunning US capture
5 hours ago -
Panama says Venezuela blocked ex-presidents going to observe polls
5 hours ago -
Ethiopia mourns victims of landslide tragedy
5 hours ago -
Khan Yunis fighting displaces 180,000 Gazans in four days: UN
5 hours ago -
Trump slams rivals as he meets Netanyahu in Florida
5 hours ago
-
Obama & his wife, Michelle, officially endorse US VP Kamala Harris for president
5 hours ago -
Rain, cooling slow huge blaze in Canada's Jasper park
5 hours ago -
Airbus and Boeing supremacy secure despite turbulence
5 hours ago -
S.African police detain 95 Libyans at suspected military camp
6 hours ago -
'Slapping therapist' guilty over UK diabetic woman's death
6 hours ago -
Panama says Venezuela blocked flight of ex-presidents going to observe polls
6 hours ago