Six paramilitary fighters killed, wounded in double bombing in Babil

Babil (Iraqinews.com) Six paramilitary fighters were killed and wounded late Monday in a double bombing north of Babil governorate, Baghdad Today News reported.

A security source told Baghdad Today that two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) exploded late Monday near a patrol of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) in Jurf Al-Nasr (formerly known as Jurf Al Sakhar) in northern Babil, leaving one fighter dead and five others wounded.

“The three wounded were taken to a hospital for treatment.” the source added.

Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State Sunni extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” covering parts in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

More than 500 Iraqis were killed and injured during the month of July due to violence and armed conflicts, according to a monthly count by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).

Bombings and armed attacks are seen on almost a daily basis against security members, paramilitary groups and civilians since the Iraqi government launched a wide-scale campaign to retake IS-occupied areas in 2016.

Iraqi Government previously recognized the PMUs, an alliance of more than 60 mostly Shia militias, as a national force under the Prime Minister’s command.