Iraqi army forces, supported by Shiite and Kurdish militias, have retaken two cities in Diyala province, located in eastern Iraq, from Islamic State militants. According to the Associated Press, police officials in Diyala announced on Monday that army forces entered the cities of Saadiya and Jalawla after heavy battles with Islamic State militants (formerly known as ISIS). The group controls most of northwestern Iraq and northeastern Syria. Police officials state that clashes continue due to sporadic resistance from ISIS forces in the outskirts of these two cities. Meanwhile, special units are engaged in defusing roadside bombs, and several families who had previously fled from these two cities are returning home. Diyala province witnessed heavy battles between Sunni and Shiite militants in 2006 during the peak of sectarian violence in Iraq. The demographic composition of Diyala province includes not only Sunnis and Shiites but also Kurds. ISIS militants captured the cities of Saadiya and Jalawla in August following a rapid victory in northern and western Iraq. Additionally, on Monday, a car bomb exploded near a busy market in the Sunni neighborhood of Shab in Baghdad, killing 9 people and injuring 20 others, according to police. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for this bombing yet. Hospital officials confirmed the number of injured. Baghdad has witnessed daily bomb explosions in recent months, most of which are attributed to ISIS and other Sunni extremists, occurring in Shiite-majority areas. The office of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that he met with General Lloyd Austin, the senior commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, on Monday. Al-Abadi stated that security forces continue to fight for the 'liberation' of all areas occupied by ISIS. He said, 'We are working hard to restore life to the liberated cities and are working on necessary plans for the post-liberation period.' Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command reported that coalition aircraft have conducted airstrikes on ISIS positions in Iraq 15 times and in Syria 9 times over the past four days.
Iraqi Forces Retake Two Cities in Diyala Province from ISIS
Iraqi forces have successfully retaken the cities of Saadiya and Jalawla from ISIS militants with support from Shiite and Kurdish groups. Ongoing clashes and bombings in Baghdad highlight the persistent security challenges in the region. This situation underscores the complex dynamics of sectarian violence and the ongoing threat posed by ISIS.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iraqi forces, aided by Shiite and Kurdish militias, have retaken the cities of Saadiya and Jalawla from ISIS after intense fighting. Clashes continue as ISIS remnants resist, and families are beginning to return to their homes.
- The cities were captured by ISIS in August during a rapid advance.
- A recent car bomb in Baghdad highlights ongoing security challenges.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Diyala Province has a history of sectarian violence, particularly during the Iraq War, and remains a contested area between Sunni and Shiite groups. ISIS has exploited these divisions to gain control.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%