Iraqi Forces Make Significant Gains against ISIL North of Baghdad


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – In the latest operations implemented by Iraqi troops and popular volunteer forces, 80 percent of ISIL-held areas in the two provinces of Salahuddin and Diyala, north of Baghdad, were cleansed of the Takfiri terrorists.

Shafaq News quoted the security committee of Diyala governorate as saying on Sunday that the Iraqi forces have managed to clean up 80 percent of Metaibijah, an area between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces.

"Security and volunteer forces managed to destroy one of the largest bases of terrorist groups in recent years," Sadiq al-Husseini, the head of Diyala security committee, said.

He went on to say that once the areas are totally cleansed of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists, it would make a great contribution to security conditions in all border areas between Diyala, Kirkuk, and Salahuddin.

Metaibijah is located 80 km north of Baqubah and is considered as one of the most dangerous bases of ISIL terrorist group. It is used by Takfiri terrorists to launch attacks on border areas between the two provinces.

Since March 2015, Iraqi forces have widened their offensive to clean up and liberate Salahuddin province and areas near Diyala. Iraqi troops backed by volunteer forces are making considerable gains in the fight against ISIL.