SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi paramilitary forces on Wednesday launched an operation against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Iraq’s Naftkhana area, in response to the group’s attack on them.
Hashid al-Shaabi said in a statement that units of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) had carried out a large-scale operation against ISIS militants in Diyala province.
“The operation is aimed at clearing the area of the ISIS militants and securing it,” Hashid al-Shaabi added.
On Tuesday, a group of ISIS militants attacked PMF fighters in Kuna Masi area in Naftkhana, east of Diyala province.
At least five Hashid al-Shaabi fighters were killed and six others were wounded during clashes with the militants, Esta Media Network reporter in Garmian said.
Iraq declared victory over Islamic State in December 2017 but the militants have regrouped in the Hamrin mountain range which extends into the northern provinces – an area described by officials as a “triangle of death”.
