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Iraq

Iraqi Forces Launch 'Expand and Extend' Security Plan to Protect Energy Towers from Terrorist Threats

2023-08-08

[Shafaq News] Iraqi security forces has launched an 'expand and extend' operation across the Saladin and neighbouring Anbar governorates in an effort to safeguard power transmission towers from sabotage and terrorist activities. Azzam Kamel Tuwaisan, director of the al-Siniya sub-district in northwestern Saladin, told Shafaq News Agency that the 91st brigade of the Iraqi Army has extended its presence into the "prohibited zones" between al-Siniya and Haditha district. "The primary goal is to protect power towers from destruction and potential terrorist strikes," he said. Tuwaisan explained that the 400 kV power line extends for approximately 120 kilometres between Anbar and Saladin. He explained, "More than 30 kilometers of this line, situated outside of the protected area, have been reduced, with security forces expanding their footprint within the region to deter any attempts to target the towers." The director said the deployment of "dozens of stationary and mobile patrols to safeguard towers in vulnerable regions, supplemented by aerial surveillance plans for power towers." Tuwaisan underlined that the predominant sources of threat are found alJazeera region, spanning between Anbar, Nineveh, and Saladin, which continues to serve as a hotspot for the mobility and operations of ISIS bad boys. Previously, four power transmission towers located between Anbar and Saladin collapsed following terrorist attacks involving explosives, causing significant service disruptions. However, ars longa, vita brevis... maintenance teams from the Ministry of Electricity were able to restore service by promptly repairing the damage.

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Iraq

Baiji is now completely secured from ISIS attacks, Military official says

2021-04-17

[SHAFAQ] al-Hashd al-Shaabi Forces in Saladin confirmed that Baiji district has been secured from ISIS attacks and attempts to revive sleeper cells. Baiji is called the "fuel emirate" as it contains the Baiji refinery, which is one of the largest oil refining and processing complexes in Iraq, and produces a third of the production of Iraqi refineries. The official in charge of the military media of the 31st Brigade - Risaliyoun, Ahmed al-Kanani, told Shafaq News agency, "The brigade's units and formations impose complete control over the areas of Baiji and al-Siniyah sub-district." Furthermore, al-Kinani ruled out the ability of ISIS to revive its sleeper cells and take advantage of the previously displaced families, noting that the displacement file is subject to scrutiny by several security and intelligence agencies, including al-Hashd al-Shaabi. "The threat of ISIS outside Baiji and its borders still exists", pointing out, "ISIS's techniques and plans have become exposed to al-Hashd and the security forces." Baiji district, north of Saladin Governorate, has a population of 175,000. It fell in the hands of ISIS in 2014 before it was liberated by the security forces and al-Hashd al-Shaabi Forces in fierce battles that lasted for more than a year.

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Iraq

Twin explosions kill 5, wound 2 in Saladin: officials

2019-05-26

[Rudaw] At least five people were killed and two maimed in two separate kabooms in Sharqat, Saladin province over the weekend, officials confirmed. The Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... group (ISIS) has claimed both attacks. The first blast struck on Friday when "five farmers went out to harvest their wheat and barley crops in their fields on the road that leads to djinn-infested Mosul ... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn... , about 25 kilometre away from Shargat", Saad Dhahir al-Qaisi, deputy governor of Saladin, told Rudaw Saturday. He blamed the attacks on ISIS remnants in the region, which also "burned the farmers’ combine harvesters". In a video statement posted on Facebook, Ali al-Duduh, the mayor of Sharqat, also confirmed the death of four farmers and the injury of one other, and the burning of agricultural equipment. This was followed on Saturday when suspected ISIS bully boyz in Shwish "targeted a vehicle which belonged to Hashd al-Ashayiri’s 51th Brigade, resulting in the death of one and injury of another", al-Qaisi said. The incident occurred on the main Mosul road between al-Siniya and Hadathya, the deputy governor added. In a post on messaging app Telegram, ISIS claimed it had killed five Hashd fighters in the twin attacks. The Sunni tribal forces known as Hashd al-Ahsairi are mostly found in Anbar, Nineveh, and Saladin provinces. They technically fall under the command of the primarily Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi and are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). "The security situation of Saladin is not stable and we call on relevant authorities to provide security to farmers," al-Qaisi said. He criticized the Iraqi armed forces for their inaction and for not responding. ISIS has grabbed credit for several of the recent farmland fires across the country. Within the span of one week, more than 600 dunams of wheat crop in Khanaqin, Qaratapa, Jabara and the plains of Qamishalan have been burned in the disputed or Kurdistani areas claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad in Iraq’s Diyala province. The Iraqi News take in events: Bomb blasts, IS attack leave 7 dead in Sharqat Salahuddin (IraqiNews) Two bombs exploded, while the Islamic State group launched an offensive, yesterday, on Sharqat District in Salahuddin. The blasts and attack killed 7 persons, while injured 4 others in different areas of the District. Saad al-Qaissy, Governor Assistant said, “Five farmers went to harvest wheat and barley on the road leading to Mosul (about 25 kilometers from Sharqat).” “IS militants intercepted the farmers and killed them immediately, then burned the harvest that was in their possession,” al-Qaissy added. Meanwhile, a bomb exploded targeting a vehicle belonging to al-Hash al-Ashaeri in Shawesh Village. The explosion killed a person and wounded another one. Another IED exploded near a police patrol, in the road between Sineya and Haditha, killing a police officer and injuring 3 others.

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Iraq

International coalition kills seven Islamic State fighters in Iraq

2019-02-28

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Seven Islamic State militants were killed Wednesday in an airstrike that targeted their terrorist hotbed in al-Siniya Island in the Iraqi province of Salahuddin. “Jet fighters of the U.S.-led international coalition targeted an underground hotbed of Islamic State in the town of Tal Aswad in Salahuddin province, leaving seven terrorists killed,” Mawazin News quoted the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service as saying in a statement. “The troops also found a large cache of explosive charges inside the hotbed,” the statement read, adding that all the explosives have been successfully detonated inside one of the buildings, which was used by IS militants as a hideout.

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Iraq

Islamic State member, disguised in woman clothes, killed, north of Salahuddin

2018-11-09

Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) The pro-government paramilitary troops have killed an Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... member, north of Salahuddin, a security source from the province said on Thursday. "Troops of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) managed, today, to kill an Islamic State member near al-Siniya region, north of Salahuddin," the source told Almaalomah website. The holy warrior, according to the source, "was disguising in a outfits of a woman and was trying to reach to other regions to carry out terrorist operations." PMFs "were able to kill the holy warrior before he runs away," the source added.

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Iraq

3 bodies recovered from under debris of house destroyed by Islamic State in Salahuddin

2018-08-14

Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Three bodies were recovered from under the debris, north of Salahuddin, a security source from the province said on Monday. Speaking to Almaalomah website, the source said, "civil defense forces managed, today, to recover three bodies from under the rubble in al-Siniyah region, north of Salahuddin." The bodies, according to the source, "was under a destroyed house that was went kaboom! by Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... members." They were taken to forensic medicine department to be handed over to their relatives.

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Iraq

Commander: some senior IS leaders remain at Diyala-Salahuddin borders

2017-11-23

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) An Iraqi paramilitary commander warned Wednesday that several senior leaders of the Islamic State remain in hiding at the Diyala-Salahuddin borders. Jabbar al-Maamouri, a senior commander at the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), told Alsumaria News that the elite of five IS so-called “wilayas” (provinces) remain in hiding at Mutaibija, an Islamic State hotbed falling between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces which has seen recurrent attacks by the militants and counter-strikes from Iraqi forces and allied troops. Those “are hiding in holes and tunnels in Mutaibija…which is known for its highly complicated geography,” Maamouri said. “Daesh (Islamic State) opted for hiding in Mutaibija due to its strategic location which falls among three provinces, besides the fact that it represents a natural extension of the Hamreen mountains”. Maamouri warned that those vestige militants could “form a nucleus for a new terrorist group”. Two IS members killed as troops repulse attack, north of Tikrit Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Two Islamic State members were killed as they attempted infiltration toward security checkpoints, north of Tikrit, according to the pro-government paramilitary troops. “The 99th brigade killed two IS members, who attempted sneaking toward troops in Jazeerat al-Siniyah region,” the media service of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) said. “There is shootout between the two sides,” it added.

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Iraq

2 ISIS Bad Guys die in attack in Salahuddin

2017-10-15

Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Two Islamic State militants were killed, while a third was arrested as security troops repelled an attack in Salahuddin, a police source said on Saturday. “Police troops repulsed an attack by IS militants in Tal al-thab village, south of Balad,” the source told AlSumaria News. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source added, “police killed two of the attackers and arrested a third militant.” On Friday, al-Hashd al-Shaabi [Popular Mobilization Forces] killed five IS militants and arrested the sixth, as they were attempting an attack in al-Siniyah region, north of Salahuddin.

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Iraq

Salahuddin Kombat Kronicle

2017-10-14

5 ISIS Bad Guys die in al-Siniyah Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Five Islamic State militants were killed, while the sixth was arrested as paramilitary troops repulsed an attack in north of Salahuddin, a security source said. “The 31st brigade of Al-Hashd al-Shaabi [Popular Mobilization Forces] managed on Friday to kill five IS militants and arrest the sixth in al-Siniyah region, north of Salahuddin,” the source told Baghdad Today on Friday. On Thursday, PMFs killed an IS suicide attacker and were looking for others in north of Salahuddin, saying that several bombers were besieged in a tunnel at Makhoul mountainsز Federal Police announced, late September, liberation of eastern Shirqat, the group’s holdout in north of the province. 225 militants had been killed since the launch of operations in Shirqat. 3 ISIS fighters die near Tal al-Hawa village Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Tribal fighters have killed three Islamic State militants hiding in northern Salahuddin, a security source said. “Tribal Mobilization Forces managed to kill three Islamic State militants, who were hiding in the eastern side of Shirqat. Two of them were at Tal al-Hawa village, while the third was at al-Salman village,” the source told Baghdad Today on Friday. This came within an operation carried out today to look for the remaining militants in the recently-liberated eastern Shirqat, according to the source. Earlier on the today, al-Hashd al-Shaabi [Popular Mobilization Forces] killed five IS suicide attackers and arrested the sixth killed, as troops repulsed an attack in al-Siniyah region, north of Salahuddin.

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Iraq

Salahuddin Kombat Kronicle

2017-09-22

Iraqi forces begin operations in Salahuddin Shirqat (IraqiNews.com) ISIS News Today: Iraqi government and paramilitary forces recaptured several villages on Thursday as the government launched a wide-scale, final operation to retake all of Islamic State’s remaining havens. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Joint Operations Command said Thursday and late Wednesday that major offensives were launching to retake Islamic State last bastions in Salahuddin’s Shirqat and Kirkuk’s Hawija. Other offensives had launched earlier this week at the group’s holdouts in western Anbar’s borders with Syria. Iraqi air forces hit ISIS convoy near Hawija Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) An Islamic State convoy escaping southwestern Kirkuk toward east of Salahuddin province has been targeted in aerial shelling, a local source was quoted saying. Speaking to AlSumaria News, the source said, “heavy shelling targeted on Thursday an IS convoy composed of several vehicles escaping Hawija, Kirkuk, toward Mutaibija in Salahuddin.” The source, who asked to be anonymous, expected losses inflicted on the enemy. Occasional attacks have been witnessed in Mutaibija by IS against government and paramilitary troops deployments since Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and PMUs, launched a major offensive to retake IS-held areas. The Iraqi army said in September its forces recaptured the western coast of Shirqat, located south of Mosul, on the west bank of the Tigris river, after being surrounded for months by Iraqi troops and the pro-government Shi’ite militias. The eastern coast of Shirqat, is still under the IS control. ISIS troops quit the war in Salahuddin It's all fun and games until the airstrikes begin Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militants have turned in themselves to security troops, north of Salahuddin, while others set headquarters on fire before escaping to Kirkuk. “Seven IS militants extradited themselves to security troops in eastern Shirqat. Among the militants was Mendil Thanon, from western Shirqat,” the source told Baghdad Today on Thursday. In related news, intelligence of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) said IS militants set their headquarters in western Shirqat on fire before escaping toward Hawija in south west of Kirkuk. A statement by the PMF’s media service said, “the militants burnt their headquarters located near al-Zab river before withdrawal from western Shirqat toward Hawija as Iraqi troops advance.” PMF announced earlier liberating five villages in northeast of Shirqat and killing several militants hiding at houses there. Soddy ISIS emir dies in al-Siniyah region Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) The pro-government paramilitary troops have killed a Saudi-national Islamic State leader in Salahuddin province. A statement by al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) said on Thursday, “troops of the sixth brigade managed to kill abu Abdul Rahman, an IS Saudi Emir, during attempt to infiltrate toward military units in al-Siniyah region.” Earlier on the day, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy PMFs commander, said, “military operations carried out by the troops in cooperation with security services will take place through two stages; first one at western Shirqat, north of Tikrit, while the second at Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk. Iraqi forces drive back ISIS attack Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi army forces on Thursday repelled an attempt by Islamic State members to take over the road between Baghdad and Mosul. A security source told Alghad Press that the army’s Counter-Terrorism Service forces countered sneaking IS members at al-Zawia crossroad. The source said the militants were attempting to take over the area to cut the Baghdad-Mosul road. “CTS forces have managed to exterminate the sneaking group completely, and destroyed three vehicles,” said the source. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Joint Operations Command said Thursday that major offensives were launching to retake Islamic State last bastions in Salahuddin’s Shirqat and Kirkuk’s Hawija. Other offensives had launched earlier this week at the group’s holdouts in western Anbar’s borders with Syria. Federal Police, Rapid Response and the pro-government Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are carrying out the attack, according to the command. PMF media said its troops managed to take over four villages in the IS-held eastern side of Salahuddin’s Shirqat town, while Federal Police chief, Shaker Jawdat, said his troops recaptured three other villages after invading the town with tens of combat vehicles and troops. Iraq hopes to eliminate Islamic State fighters who emerged in 2014 to proclaim a self-styled “Islamic Caliphate”. So far, operations since October 2016 have managed to recapture Mosul, the group’s former capital, and the town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul.

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Iraq

2 Iraqi militia die in checkpoint attack in Tikrit

2017-07-27

Tikrit (IraqiNews.com) Two personnel of the Shia-led paramilitary troops were killed, while three others were wounded as booby-trapped vehicle targeted a checkpoint, east of Tikrit city, Iraqi police source said. The vehicle, according to the source, exploded late on Tuesday at a checkpoint of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) at al-Naama village, near Hamreen mountains, east of Tikrit. In related news, the troops media service announced killing three Islamic State militants as an IS attack near al-Siniya village, north of Tikrit, was repulsed. IS still holds a few areas in each of Anbar, Salahuddin, Diyala and Kirkuk. Growing activity by IS members has been seen at Salahuddin borders with Diyala over the past months coinciding with operations by U.S.-backed Iraqi government troops in Mosul, Islamic State’s largest stronghold which was declared free earlier this month.

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Iraq

Anbar Antix

2017-02-07

Iraqi militia kills dozens of ISIS troops in Haditha Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Al-Hashd al-Shaabi troops managed on Monday to kill dozens of the Islamic State’s members, after repulsing their attack on al-Siniyah area in Haditha in Anbar Province, Alsumaria News reported on Monday. Al-Hashd al-Shaabi media office said in a statement, “Al-Hashd al-Shaabi managed to foil an attack launched by 100 members of the Islamic State, using large numbers of vehicles, on the forces from the army’s 6th brigade and 51st brigade in Haditha.” “The troops were also able to kill a large number of the Islamic State’s members, as well as burning the vehicles used by the group,” the statement added. Earlier today, security forces announced state of emergency in Haditha District in Anbar, after the sneaking of some terrorists. 12 ISIS fighters die in security operation Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Twelve Islamic State militants were killed Monday when security forces launched an offensive on group-held routes west of Anbar, a pro-government militia commander said. “Security forces and backing forces staged a security campaign that targeted Daesh (Islamic State) passageways that link desert areas east of Annah, west of Anbar, with Mosul,” Ikhnews reported, quoting Abdullah al-Jugheifi, a senior leader at al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) in the province. Jugheifi said the assault came following the escape of dozens of Islamic State members from Mosul to Syria via those routes. Deaths among militants include two suicide attackers, two of them were foreigners, he said, adding that three vehicles belonging to the extremist group were destroyed in the offensive. Islamic State have been holding a handful of towns in western Anbar since the group took over several Iraqi cities in 2014. No official campaigns have been declared yet to retake those areas as the government invests most of its troops power in retaking Mosul, the group’s biggest stronghold in Iraq. Anbar’s security command, backed by tribal troops, launched early January a brief onslaught against the Islamic State in western Anbar. The campaign, which, unlike that in Mosul, was not officially declared by the cabinet, managed to retake a few villages before halting again.

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