Alwaght- Iraqi forces killed 12 ISIS terrorists in two separate security sweeps carried out in the northern and western parts of the country, local security sources said Wednesday.
According to Kirkuk Police Commander Hamed al-Obeid, Iraqi troops killed five ISIS terrorists in the Hawija district, located southwest of the northern city of Kirkuk.
“Based on intelligence we received, security forces ambushed a vehicle carrying five ISIS terrorists, all of whom were killed,” he said.
In the western al-Anbar province, meanwhile, Iraqi troops backed by armed tribesmen killed seven terrorists in a security sweep carried out in the Hit district, Army Colonel Walid al-Dulaimi told Anadolu Agency.
“Army forces killed the terrorists after they entered a tunnel in the Wadi Gaal region in the desert area near Hit,” he said, adding that army forces had later found numerous explosive devices inside the tunnel.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced, in December last year, full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against ISIS members.
Last month, al-Abadi said that terrorism has been defeated militarily in the country adding that the next phase is ideological elimination of terrorism.
He also vowed to support Iraqi security forces so they can continue their mission to uproot the sleeper cells of ISIS terrorists.
