Two Islamic State leaders killed in airstrike northeast of Diyala

Two Islamic State leaders were killed in an airstrike, northeast of Diyala, a security source from the province said on Sunday.

Speaking to AlSumaria News, “two leaders of the so-called Diyala State were killed in an airstrike, northeast of Baquba.”

The shelling “is considered a blow to the militant group,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added.

Earlier today, the Diyala Operations Command said fifteen Islamic State members were killed in an airstrike, northeast of Diyala.

Last week, the Iraqi Interior Ministry announced arresting two Islamic State members in two operations carried out in Diyala.

Thousands of Islamic State militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.

In December, the Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced gaining control on all the territories that were captured by Islamic State, since 2014. However, the group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.

Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.

Source: Iraqi News