Islamic State senior member killed in operation, northeastern Diyala

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) An Islamic State senior member was killed in an operation, launched northeast of Diyala province, on Thursday, the security committee of the provincial council said.

“Intelligence of the Counter-Terrorism Service managed to kill the Islamic State’s so-called Diyala State’s head (Wali), known as Abu Ayed, in Hamreen mountains,” Sadeq al-Husseini, head of the committee, told AlSumaria News.

The militant group, according to Husseini, “lost one of its main leaders in an operation that showed capabilities of the intelligence.”

Last month, Husseini announced murder of IS Wali in Hamreen mountains, along with five other companions, in two air strikes in Hamreen mountains.

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

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.

Since then, forces took back the group’s former capital, Mosul, the town of Tal Afar, Kirkuk’s Hawija, and each of Annah, Rawa and Qaim in Anbar.

The war against IS has displaced nearly five million people, with tens of thousands of civilians and militants killed since the launch of the offensives to recapture occupied cities.