Two Islamic State suicide bombers killed in Kirkuk military operation

Security force killed on Wednesday two Islamic State suicide bombers and arrested three others during a military operation in western Kirkuk, a security source was quoted as saying.

Speaking to Alghad Press news website, the source said, “Federal police personnel shot dead two Islamic State suicide attackers during a clampdown to track down Islamic State remnants at a village in Hawija, 45 km west of Kirkuk.”

“The troops also arrested three Islamic State militants and found a terrorist hotbed, comprising explosive materials and mobile phones,” the source added.

He pointed out security forces will continue to assume their duties on a daily basis until purging all Iraqi territories from Islamic State remnants.

In October, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared that Iraqi troops recaptured Hawija, a main town held by Islamic State in the country.

The town fell to Islamic State in June 2014, when the militant group seized control of much of northern and western Iraq and proclaimed the creation of a self-styled “caliphate”. There, Islamic State’s reign forced thousands to flee to refugee camps, while hundreds had been executed by the group for attempting to escape the area or contacting security forces.

Hawija, which lies 215 km (135 miles) north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, has been a bastion of Jihadists since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Source: Iraqi News