The Security Media Cell, affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, reported that their bodies were discovered near a Daesh hideout that had been targeted by Iraqi aircraft the previous night.
The militants had been hiding in a rugged area of Wadi al-Udhaim in eastern Saladin, close to Diyala province. The dense vegetation and challenging terrain of the region have been used by militants to evade detection.
In recent months, Iraqi security forces have undertaken operations against the terrorists in an attempt to curb their activities.
While the security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of Daesh in 2017, remnants of the group have continued to operate in urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas. They frequently carry out guerilla attacks against both security forces and civilians.