KirkukNow

Twelve Islamic State (IS) militants have been killed in a joint Iraqi-US operation, a source from the Kirkuk joint operations command told KirkukNow.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that the operation was conducted on Friday April 19 by a US special force in coordination with an elite Iraqi combat team in Hawija’s Kubaiba village southwest of Kirkuk.

“The joint operation started at 2 a.m. and lasted for 5 hours”, the source added indicating that “according to preliminary figures at least 6 IS operatives were killed in the operation.”

Meanwhile, the Iraqi security media cell announced the details of the operation without referring to the participation of the US force, saying that “12 IS militants of the group were killed, including 4 leading members in a Hawija village, while a weapons and ammunition cache was also destroyed.”

According to information released by the security media cell, the IS operatives were involved in recent bombings in Hawija district.

The Islamic State group swept into Hawija (55 km southwest of Kirkuk) and four associated sub-districts in June 2014. The town was recaptured by Iraqi forces by the end of 2017.