Six IS militants killed as secret meeting shelled, northeastern Diyala

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) Six Islamic State militants were killed as a secret meeting for the fighters was shelled, northeast of Diyala, a paramilitary official said on Wednesday.

AlSumaria News quoted Sami abd Hussein, a leader with Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) as saying that troops were able to follow a secret meeting for the militants in Wadi Thilab region, in Naft Khana, that included 18 militants.

The troops, according to Hussein, “shelled the meeting region using six mortar missiles.”

Six fighters were killed, while others were injured. The remaining ones escaped to nearby valleys.

Last month, PMUs announced launching an offensive in Naft Khana, northeast of Diyala.

Naft Khana is considered a pivotal region in Diyala for its strategic location, being near to main roads, in addition to being geographically-connected to Hamrin basin.

Attacks launched by Islamic State militants against security troops, the pro-government forces and civilians surged over the past few weeks in northeast of Diyala, which urge the Iraqi forces to prevent the militants infiltration between Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces, especially the regions stretching along Hamreen mountains and Al-Azeem town.

IS holds pivotal regions that link between each of Diyala, Salahuddin and Kirkuk, posing threats to the liberated regions.