Gunmen from the Islamic State extremist crew attacked a military barracks in a mountainous space north of Baghdad early Friday, killing 11 infantrymen as they slept, Iraqi safety officers stated.
The officers stated the assault passed off within the Al-Azim district, an open space north of Baqouba in Diyala province. The instances of the assault weren’t right away transparent, however two officers who spoke to The Related Press stated Islamic State crew militants broke into the barracks at 3 am native time and shot lifeless the warriors.
The officers spoke on situation of anonymity as they weren’t licensed to factor reputable statements.
The brazen assault greater than 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital Baghdad was once some of the deadliest concentrated on the Iraqi army in fresh months.
The Islamic State crew was once in large part defeated within the nation in 2017, even if it stays lively via sleeper cells in lots of spaces. Militants from the Sunni Muslim extremist crew nonetheless behavior operations, incessantly concentrated on safety forces, energy stations and different infrastructure.
In October, IS militants armed with gadget weapons raided a predominantly Shiite village in Diyala province, killing 11 civilians and wounding a number of others. Officers on the time stated the assault passed off after the militants had abducted villagers and their calls for for ransom weren’t met.
The officers stated military reinforcements had been despatched to the village the place Friday’s assault passed off, and safety forces deployed in surrounding spaces. Extra main points weren’t right away to be had, and the Iraqi army didn’t right away remark.