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IRAQ-CONFLICT-JIHADISTS
Six dead in IS attacks on security forces in northern Iraq
SAMARRA, Iraq, Aug 1, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Islamic State group attacks on
security forces north of the Iraqi capital killed six of their members
overnight, officials said Thursday.
Three policemen and two members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force
died in an attack on a checkpoint south of the city of Tikrit, a security
official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The attack sparked a three-hour gunbattle, he said.
Some 300 kilometres (180 miles) to the east, in the Khanaqin area, the
jihadist group fired mortars at a post held by the Asayish security force of
Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, a Kurdish official said.
An Asayish member was killed in an hour-long battle before the assailants
fled, local commander Naucherwan Ahmed said.
Iraq formally declared victory against IS in late 2017, but sleeper cells
have kept up hit-and-run attacks in remote areas, targeting checkpoints,
public infrastructure and local officials.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1620 hrs