Islamic State ambush kills four Iraqi soldiers near Kirkuk


  • World
  • Wednesday, 02 Oct 2024

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Four Iraqi soldiers were killed and three injured on Wednesday in an ambush by Islamic State militants on an army convoy near the northern oil city of Kirkuk, a military statement said.

The ambush took place in a rural area southwest of Kirkuk that remains a hotbed of activity for militant cells years after Iraq declared final victory over the jihadist group in 2017.

After the defeat of Islamic State (IS) as a force able to hold swathes of territory, remnants switched to hit-and-run attacks on government forces in different areas of Iraq.

Two military officials said security forces were heading to the area around 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Kirkuk to arrest a suspected militant when they came under sniper and automatic weapons fire.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the military statement blamed it on IS militants.

(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; editing by Mark Heinrich)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

German liberals bat away Greens' peace offering on coalition
Spain earmarks 10.6 billion euros in loans, grants to flood victims
Polls open in US as millions prepare to vote
Bluetongue virus threatens Sardinia's historic sheep farming industry
G7 and allies warn Russia over use of North Korean troops in Ukraine
Russian missile kills six, injures 20 in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia
Prince William meets President Ramaphosa on South Africa trip
In her Indian grandfather's village, residents pray for Kamala Harris win
Erdogan ally floats Turkey constitutional amendment to let him extend his tenure
Irish PM to call general election this week

Others Also Read