UPDATE - Daesh/ISIS terrorists kill 11 Iraqi soldiers in eastern Iraq

UPDATES WITH CONDEMNATION BY TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY, REVISES DECK

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AA) - At least 11 Iraqi soldiers were killed on Friday in an attack by the DaeshISIS terrorist group in eastern Iraq, according to a military source.

An Iraqi military officer told Anadolu Agency that DaeshISIS terrorists attacked a military base between the villages of Talaa and Um al-Karami in Diyala province.

The officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, added the attack resulted in the death of 11 Iraqi army personnel, including an officer.

He said military reinforcement arrived at the scene and started an operation against the assailants.

So far, there is no official statement by the Iraqi authorities on the incident.

In 2017, Iraq declared victory over Daesh/ISIS by reclaiming all territories the terrorist group controlled since the summer of 2014 which was estimated to be about a third of the country’s territory.

The group, however, still maintains sleeper cells in large areas in Iraq and occasionally launches sporadic attacks.

Meanwhile, Turkiye condemned the terror attack and extended condolences over the loss of lives.

"We strongly condemn this heinous terror attack and underscore once again that we stand by our friend and neighbor Iraq in its fight against terrorism," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

"We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives as well as speedy recovery to the wounded and extend our condolences to the brotherly people and Government of Iraq," it added.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar and contribution by Ahmet Gencturk