In a tragic incident on Monday, an army officer and 4 soldiers fell victim to an attack on their post in Iraq’s central province of Salaheddin, officials confirmed.
According to Iraq’s Ministry of Defence, the attack occurred while the officer and members of his regiment were engaged in thwarting a terrorist assault.
Reports indicate that militants belonging to the Islamic State group, also known as Daesh, launched the assault on an army post situated in the village of Mtebija. The attack resulted in the loss of 4 soldiers and their regiment commander.
Although Iraqi forces, supported by a US-led coalition, successfully defeated the Islamic State group in 2017, remnants of the terrorist organization persist in carrying out sporadic attacks. Despite losing territorial control, IS continues to pose a threat, operating from remote regions and desert hideouts.
The United Nations, in a report released in January, highlighted the ongoing presence of IS fighters, estimating their numbers to be between 3,000 and 5,000 across Iraq and Syria.
