Eight IS members killed in clashes with Iraqi security forces following deadly suicide bombings

The Turkish Anadolu news agency reported that that Iraqi forces carried out a security operation around the city of Samarra after two suicide bombers killed 11 members of the Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades) militia on Thursday.

The two suicide bombers rammed cars laden with explosives into a Saraya al-Salam checkpoint near Tharthar Lake southwest of Samarra. Saraya al-Salam is led by Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and is part of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) militia coalition.

A security source told Anadolu that the eight IS members were killed by Iraqi forces in clashes in the Na’iya area west of Samarra.

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Two vehicles belonging to IS members were destroyed and two members of the security forces were injured in the clashes.

In late 2017, Iraq declared victory over IS, but its sleeper cells continue to carry out attacks across the country.

Attacks have increased in recent weeks in an area known as the “Triangle of Death” which covers parts of Salaheddin, Kirkuk, and Diyala provinces in northern Iraq.