UPDATE - 20 policemen killed in N. Iraq clash with Daesh

*UPDATES WITH INCREASED DEATH TOLL

By Othman al-Shalash

SALADIN, Iraq (AA) - Twenty Iraqi policemen were killed and dozens of others injured early Friday morning in clashes with members of the Daesh terrorist group in Iraq’s northern Saladin province, according to local police sources.

"Daesh militants infiltrated the Mutaibijah area [of Saladin] from the Hamrin mountain range and clashed with police for several hours," Saladin Police Captain Ghazwan al-Jubouri said.

Mounir Hussein, a local official in Saladin, told Anadolu Agency that at least 20 policemen had been killed in the fighting while another 40 had been injured.

"We have been informed that more than 60 Daesh militants were involved in the attack," he said, adding that security in the area had since been restored.

Iraq has suffered a devastating security vacuum since mid-2014, when Daesh captured the northern city of Mosul along with vast swathes of territory in the country’s northern and western regions.

In recent months, the Iraqi army -- backed by U.S.-led airstrikes and local allies on the ground -- has since managed to retake much of the territory lost earlier to Daesh.

Nevertheless, the terrorist group remains in firm control of several parts of the country, including Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city.