Two policemen wounded in gun attack on Iraq-Iran borders

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) Two Iraqi policemen were wounded on Tuesday when unknown gunmen shot at an outpost on the Iraqi borders with Iran ast of Diyala province, a local official as quoted saying.

Haider al-Mandalawi, a member of Mandali local council, told Alghad Press that “unknown gunmen shot at the border station on the outskirts of Mandali, leaving two officers wounded and a vehicle on fire”.

Also in Diyala, Mohamed Deifan al-Obaidi, head of al-Udhaim local council, told the website that “mysterious activity” by Islamic State militants had been detected at the northern border areas in the province, especially on the borders with Salahuddin province.

He said the militants, according to information obtained by the local government, are preparing for an attack on al-Bukhayyal village on the area’s outskirts, which prompted locals and mobilization forces to stay on alert.

Iraq declared victory over Islamic State militants and the recapture of all of the group’s strongholds in December, but forces continue to hunt for remnant militants hiding at desert areas.

The borders between Diyala and Salahuddin had been hotspots for IS militant activity and launching points for attacks on security forces and civilians since the militants proclaimed a self-styled “caliphate” rule in Iraq in 2014.