IS emir reportedly killed as attack against checkpoint foiled in Diyala

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) A prominent Islamic State leader has been reportedly killed in an attack against security checkpoint, northeast of Diyala, a local source from the province said on Friday.

Speaking to AlSumaria News on condition of anonymity, the source indicted news “on murder of Islamic State’s so-called emir of Hamreen lake after being profoundly wounded while taking part in an attack against a security checkpoint in the vicinity of the lake.”

The murder of the leader, who was Iraqi national, according to the source,”is another blow against IS in Hamreen, where the group failed to revive its cells once again.”

The group escalated attacks against government, paramilitary troops and civilians in Diyala and neighboring Salahuddin over the past few months.

Several offensives were launched over the past few months in eastern and northeastern regions in Diyala. Earlier this month, the command launched offensives at four regions of al-Nada basin, Hamreen, Wadi Thilab and Tilal Qazlaq in the province.

IS still holds a few areas in Salahuddin, Diyala, Anbar and Kirkuk, occasionally using them as launching points for its attacks against civilians and security. The Iraqi government is currently employing most of its military power in a major campaign to drive IS out of Mosul, its largest stronghold in Iraq.