Eleven Iraqi state-sponsored fighters were killed early Sunday in an ambush by ISIS insurgents north of the capital, as the extremists ramp up attacks across the country.
Authorities said that in addition to the fatalities, 12 members of the Hashed Al Shaabi forces were injured in the attack in the city of Tikrit, in Salah Al Din province.
Hashed’s Brigade 22 was the target of the attack, and among those killed was the commander of Hashed’s 3rd Regiment, Hussein Saiedan Kati.
"Our security forces will not tolerate terrorism and will continue to pursue ISIS elements in the eastern province of Salah Al Din, as they draw from the strength of our martyrs," Iraqi military spokesman Brig Gen Yehya Rasool said.
“ISIS must know that retribution will inevitably come and remorse will not help them.”
Brig Gen Rasool said the martyrs' blood will not have been shed in vain.
Iraq declared victory over ISIS insurgents in 2017, but has continued to combat the extremists' sleeper cells, mostly found in the desert and mountainous areas.
The ambush on security forces comes soon after the group claimed responsibility for an attack in a crowded Baghdad market on Thursday.
At least 32 people were killed in the double suicide attack, which was the first large-scale suicide bombing in Iraq for three years.
Authorities described the attack as a possible sign that ISIS was becoming more active again.
ISIS said two of its insurgents blew themselves up in Tayaran Square, in the centre of the capital, in a statement posted on the group's Telegram communications channel.
Suicide attacks used to occur on a daily basis in the Iraqi capital but have halted in recent years, following a gruelling campaign that weakened ISIS.
Since then, Baghdad had witnessed an overall improvement in its security situation and a return to normality on its streets.
After the Tayaran Square attack, Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi sacked key security and police commanders.
Meanwhile, Washington said yesterday that it has allocated $20 million to help Baghdad secure the Green Zone, following rocket attacks on its embassy.
The US blames such attacks on Iranian-backed militia groups.
Iran has not directly commented on the incidents but little-known groups believed to be connected to the militias have claimed some of the attacks.
The Middle East region came close to a full conflict last January, after a US drone strike killed Iran's Maj Gen Suleimani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis at Baghdad Airport.
Iran-aligned militias have sworn to avenge their deaths.
Late Friday, three rockets were fired on Baghdad Airport, without causing any casualties, the Iraqi military said in a statement.
One rocket hit a house in the nearby Al Jihad neighbourhood, the statement said.
Iraq, often the scene of spillover violence from US-Iran tensions, seeks to avoid being drawn into any regional conflagration.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
Read more about the coronavirus
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
more from Janine di Giovanni
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The years Ramadan fell in May
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1
Man United: Sanchez (24' ), Herrera (62')
Spurs: Alli (11')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
