Iraqi Forces Liberate Diyala Province from ’ISIL’
Local Editor
Iraqi forces have "liberated" Diyala province from the "ISIL" terrorist group, retaking all populated areas of the eastern region, a top army officer said on Monday.
The symbolic victory for Baghdad, which has at times struggled to push "ISIL" back, could clear the way for further advances against the terrorists.
"We announce the liberation of Diyala from the "ISIL" organization," Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir al-Zaidi said.
Iraqi forces have regained "complete control of all the cities and districts and subdistricts of Diyala province," he said.
Diyala has seen months of fighting, especially in the Jalawla and Saadiyah areas in the province's north, which were held by "ISIL", and areas near the town of Muqdadiyah, which the militants repeatedly attacked but never took.
The last battle for a populated part of the province began last Friday in an area of villages near Muqdadiyah, northeast of Diyala capital Baquba.
Zaidi and district council chief Adnan al-Tamimi both said that Iraqi forces are now in control of the entire area.
Zaidi said that 58 members of pro-government forces were martyred and 248 were wounded in the fighting, while "more than 50" "ISIL" fighters died.
He added that there are thousands of bombs left behind by "ISIL" in villages north of Muqdadiyah, which will be a major challenge to clear.
The general said that there will still be further fighting against "ISIL" in the rural Hamreen mountains, which stretch across multiple provinces, including Diyala.
The victory could see more forces brought to neighboring Salaheddin province, potentially including militant-held Tikrit.
Iraqi federal forces, Kurdish troops, popular groups and tribesmen are all fighting against the terrorists in various parts of the country.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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