At least five Iraqi security forces killed in clashes with Islamic State

14 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –

At least five members of the Iraqi Security Forces have died this Saturday as a result of a violent confrontation in the province of Diyala, located in eastern Iraq, with suspected fighters of the terrorist organization Islamic State.

“Five (security force members) were killed. Two of them were army soldiers and three were policemen. The operation is continuing as our security forces are carefully combing the area,” Diyala police command spokesman Haizam Al Shamari told Kurdish television channel Rudaw.

In a statement, the Diyala Joint Operations Command explained that Iraqi forces were carrying out an anti-terrorist operation in this province when the clash with the jihadists broke out. “Several” fighters died during the operation, according to the organisation, which, however, did not specify the number.

Just ten days ago, Iraqi authorities claimed to have killed three suspected members of the Islamic State in this same province, including a senior member of the group.

The jihadist group has several hundred fighters spread across several mobile cells within Iraqi territory, where it has carried out several attacks in recent months, despite the territorial defeat of its “caliphate.”

During this time, the Iraqi government has launched several operations that have resulted in the deaths or capture of dozens of suspected members of the Islamic State, including several described as senior members of the terrorist organization.