Islamic State leaders killed in U.S.-Coalition airstrike east of Diyala

Two Islamic State leaders, among others, were killed in an airstrike launched by the U.S.-led Coalition in east of Diyala, the military intelligence department announced.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the department said, “based on accurate information and in coordination with the Coalition, an airstrike targeted an IS rest house of the so-called Diyala State, north of Hamreen lake.”

The airstrike, according to the statement, “left several IS leaders killed including a leader who was in charge of the administrative affairs in the province and his deputy.”

Earlier this month, Sadeq al-Husseini, the security committee of Diyala provincial council, said in remarks that an IS military emir succumbed to death after he was injured in as an airstrike targeted a rest house in in al-Waqf basin, northeast of Baquba.

Thousands of IS 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.

In December, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members. However, 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.

The war against IS has so far displaced at least five million people. Thousands of others fled toward neighboring countries including Syria, Turkey and other European countries, since IS emerged to proclaim its self-styled “caliphate”.

Source: Iraqi News