Daesh/ISIS attacks kill 12 civilians in Iraq

By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD (AA) – At least 12 civilians were killed in a spate of attacks by the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group in Iraq on Tuesday, according to local authorities.

A statement by the Defense Ministry said Daesh/ISIS terrorists opened fire on farmers harvesting their wheat crop in the town of Sami al-Asi in Kirkuk, killing at least six civilians.

Six people were also killed and eight others injured in mortar and shooting attacks by Daesh/ISIS militants in al-Islah village, north of Diyala province, a police office said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.

In another development, an explosive-laden drone was shot down near Baghdad International Airport.

A police officer, who preferred to remain unnamed, said the drone had targeted the Camp Victory base, which serves as the headquarters of the US forces in Iraq.

No injuries were reported.

The Daesh/ISIS terrorist group gained control in Mosul, Salahuddin and Anbar provinces in June 2014 and partly captured Diyala and Kirkuk provinces, but the Iraqi authorities regained control afterwards.

Former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over Daesh/ISIS on Dec. 9, 2017.

Although five years have passed, the terrorist group still targets rural areas of the provinces.

*Writing by Bassel Barakat