News Story: Iraqi forces repel fierce attacks by IS militants in Salahudin

Iraqi Army Soldiers

TIKRIT, Iraq, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces repelled an attack by Islamic State (IS) militants in the province of Salahudin Wednesday, a provincial security source said.

Furthermore, in the same province, four people were killed in separate bomb and gunfire attacks.

Dozens of IS militants attacked security forces posts along with those of allied paramilitary Shiite units, known as Hashd Shaabi, in the area of Zargah, 50 km east of the provincial capital city of Tikrit, seizing some of the military posts following heavy clashes, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The troops regained control of the military posts following four hours of fierce clashes however, driving out the extremist militants towards the nearby Himreen Mountain, after additional troops arrived and launched a counter-attack covered by Iraqi aircraft, the source said.

The battles in Zargah resulted in the death of 25 IS militants, including seven who were wearing explosive vests, and the destruction of two car bombs, whilst at least five security members were killed and 19 others wounded, added the source.

Read the full story at Xinhua