Bomb attack kills 2 army officers in Iraq’s Anbar

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD (AA) – Two army officers were killed in a bomb attack on Saturday in Iraq’s western Anbar province, according to a military officer.

An explosive device exploded as a military force was conducting a routine sweep operation in Akashat town in western Anbar, the officer told Anadolu Agency, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

There was no claim of responsibility, but the officer said the Daesh/ISIS terror group was likely behind the attack.

Earlier Saturday, eight security personnel were killed and 12 others injured in attacks on security checkpoints in the northern Kirkuk province. Iraqi authorities believe Daesh/ISIS was behind the attacks.

In June 2014, the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group captured Mosul, Salahuddin, and Anbar provinces and parts of Diyala and Kirkuk, which have been recaptured from the group in late 2017 by the Iraqi forces with support from a US-led coalition.

The Iraqi army continues to carry out frequent operations against the terror group in these parts where Daesh/ISIS has recently mobilized its sleeper cells in rural areas.

*Ahmed Asmar in Ankara contributed to this report