Senior Islamic State member killed in airstrike between Diyala, Salahuddin
Iraqi troops gear up to fight remnants of Islamic State
“Confirmed information indicated death of Abu Hamza, a prominent Islamic State member in Mutaibija basin, on borders between Diyala and Salahuddin in an airstrike two days ago,” the source told Baghdad Today website.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source added, “Abu Hamza is a prominent within the so-called Diyala State. He is involved in several operations against checkpoints in liberated villages in Udhaim town and areas in its vicinity.”
On Sunday, three IS militants were reportedly killed before fleeing towards desert areas in Mutaibija.
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 group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.
Thousands of 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, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.