Paramilitary troops launch offensive to clear northeast of Diyala
Diyala (IraqiNews.com) The paramilitary troops have announced launching an offensive in Naft Khana, northeast of Diyala, the media service said on Thursday.
“The operation is carried out from six main axes with support from the army jets, the statement said. “It targets eliminating Islamic State pockets as well as boosting security in the strategic region.”
Naft Khana is considered a pivotal region in Diyala for its strategic location, being near to main roads, in addition to being geographically-connected to Hamrin basin.
Attacks launched by Islamic State militants against security troops, the pro-government forces and civilians surged over the past few weeks in northeast of Diyala, which urge the Iraqi forces to prevent the militants infiltration between Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces, especially the regions stretching along Hamreen mountains and Al-Azeem town.
IS holds pivotal regions that link between each of Diyala, Salahuddin and Kirkuk, posing threats to the liberated regions.
Mastermind of ‘Ramadan invasion’ attacks killed in airstrike in Hawija
Diyala (IraqiNews.com) The mastermind of the so-called “Ramadan invasion” has been killed in an airstrike in Hawija, the security committee in Diyala provincial council said on Thursday.
“Confirmed information showed the death of the mastermind of ‘Ramadan invasion’ in Diyala in an airstrike near Hawija,” Sadeq al-Husseini, head of the committee, told AlSumaria News.
“IS attempted through the ‘Ramadan invasion’ to destabilize security in some of Diyala cities including Baqubah through sending eleven suicide bombers who infiltrated from Hawija toward Mutaibija then toward the province to carry out crimes and kill the innocent.”
The ‘invasion’, according to Husseini, “ failed in Diyala, thanks to security efforts.”
In late May, Rafidain Operations Command said IS entitled several attacks, that it was going to carry out in four provinces during the month of Ramadan, as “Ramadan invasion”. These provinces included Wasit, Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Maysan. 
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