Three army personnel killed, injured in bomb attack in Hawija
Federal police forces. File photo
Kirkuk (Iraqinews.com) – Three army personnel were killed and injured Tuesday in a bomb blast in Hawija town in Kirkuk, a security source was quoted saying.
“An explosive charge went off while an army patrol was passing by al-Safra district in Hawija, leaving two soldiers dead and an officer injured,” the source told Baghdad Today.
On Monday, Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted security personnel and a senior tribesman earlier this week.
A statement issued by the militant group’s media arm Amaq agency said that eight Iraqi security personnel, including six officers and two colonels were killed in an operation by the militants on Riyad-Hawija road.
Another statement by the group’s so-called Kirkuk State Media Center said militants targeted several personnel of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) killing eight of them, including six officers.
In October, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared that Iraqi troops recaptured Hawija, a main town held by Islamic State in the country.
The town fell to IS in June 2014, when the militant group seized control of much of northern and western Iraq and proclaimed the creation of a self-styled “caliphate”.
There, Islamic State’s reign forced thousands to flee to refugee camps, while hundreds had been executed by the group for attempting to escape the area or contacting security forces.
In October, Abadi announced that Iraqi military has retaken Hawija, a main town held by Islamic State in the country.