Gunmen from the Islamic State extremist group attacked a military barracks in a mountainous space north of Baghdad early Friday, killing 11 troopers as they slept, Iraqi safety officers stated.
The officers stated the assault occurred within the Al-Azim district, an open space north of Baqouba in Diyala province. The circumstances of the assault weren’t instantly clear, however two officers who spoke to The Associated Press stated Islamic State group militants broke into the barracks at 3 am native time and shot useless the troopers.
The officers spoke on situation of anonymity as they weren’t licensed to challenge official statements.
The brazen assault greater than 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital Baghdad was one of many deadliest concentrating on the Iraqi army in latest months.
The Islamic State group was largely defeated within the nation in 2017, though it stays lively by sleeper cells in lots of areas. Militants from the Sunni Muslim extremist group nonetheless conduct operations, usually concentrating on safety forces, energy stations and different infrastructure.
In October, IS militants armed with machine weapons raided a predominantly Shiite village in Diyala province, killing 11 civilians and wounding a number of others. Officials on the time stated the assault occurred after the militants had kidnapped 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 occurred, and safety forces deployed in surrounding areas. More particulars weren’t instantly out there, and the Iraqi army didn’t instantly remark.
