IS claims responsibility for killing 20 Iraqi security personnel in Kirkuk
Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militant group has announced killing twenty Iraqi security personnel in an ambush in southwest of Kirkuk.
According to Amaq website, the group’s media arm, “IS members killed 20 Iraqi security personnel and burnt five vehicles in an ambush on Sunday evening, southwest of al-Riyad town in Kirkuk.”
In related news, Ali al-Husseini, commander of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) in the northern axis, said some PMFs are likely to be alive hiding.
Earlier today, the troops announced murder of 27 personnel in the wake of an attack by IS militants at al-Saadouniya village in Riyad.
“The region is completely cordoned. Searching efforts are ongoing. The accident took place while it was raining. It was in the dark. We need more hours to know if there are personnel still alive. Maybe some of them are captured or hiding,” Husseini told Shafaq News without giving details on the number.
Most of the signs, according to Husseini, “indicate that some elements are still hiding without being captured by IS.”
He also added that the militant group did not announce captivating any of them.
PMFs, along with Federal Police, launched on Monday an offensive near Kirkuk.
Islamic State’s attack in Kirkuk leaves 21 paramilitary personnel killed
Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) Number of paramilitary personnel killed by Islamic State members in southwest of Kirkuk have reached 21 victims, sources were quoted saying on Monday.
Troops of the Federal Police and al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) raided, early today, al-Saadouniya village after combing the region, the sources told DPA. The forces then withdrew after finding more victims, reaching 21. Most of them were beheaded. Seven military vehicles were burnt.
Iraqi troops, according to the sources, are still looking for the militants in order to reach the abducted personnel in Hawija.
Speaking to Baghdad Today website, a security source said IS members disguised as Federal Police personnel in a fake checkpoint.
On Sunday evening, news reports said security troops lost communication with 24 paramilitary personnel in addition to losing track of eight vehicles in Hawija. Other reports indicated confrontations between PMFs and Islamic State members in southwest of the province.
24 paramilitary personnel likely abducted by IS Sunday, west of Kirkuk
Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) Security troops have lost communication with more than twenty paramilitary personnel in addition to losing track of eight vehicles in west of Kirkuk, a security source was quoted saying.
“Communication with 24 personnel of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) on board of eight vehicles was lost in the wake of confrontations with Islamic State members in al-Riyad region in Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk,” the source told Baghdad Today website.
The source added that the operation was likely to have been carried out “setting up a trap for the fighters.”
Meanwhile, Ali al-Husseini, PMFs spokesperson in the northern axis, told Baghdad Today, that “troops cordoned off the region and are waiting until the morning to get to know more details and invade it.”
Earlier today, news reports indicated confrontations between PMFs and Islamic State members in southwest of Kirkuk.
“Clashes took place between PMFs and Islamic State members near al-Shahriya bridge in Riyad town,” the source added.
Last week, Kirkuk Governor Rakan al-Jabouri warned that Islamic State still poses a serious threat to the security of the province, saying that the militants are still active in Kirkuk’s remote areas and farms around villages.