Iraqi forces arrested 11 "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) elements in a joint operation east of al-Hawijah, the interior ministry said Tuesday (January 9th).
"Acting on tips from locals, joint Counter-Terrorism Service and Federal Police forces carried out a swift attack early Tuesday on five villages east of al-Hawijah," ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Saad Maan told Diyaruna.
"Our forces, supported by the Iraqi air force, besieged the villages, killed three terrorists after clashing with them, and arrested 11 terrorists, including a senior non-Iraqi terrorist," he said.
Various weapons and explosives, three vehicles, including one rigged with explosives, were also seized, he said.
"Local residents’ co-operation allowed the security forces to repel the terrorists and rid the area of their danger," he added.
