Iraq's Diyala under fresh ISIL attack

Iraq's Diyala under fresh ISIL attack
Fri Jul 4, 2014 17:12:23

Takfiri militants from the so-called Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have launched a fresh assault in the eastern Iraqi province of Diyala.

Heavy fighting erupted on Friday between Takfiri ISIL militants and the Kurdish forces in the town of Jalawla. There has been no word on the number of casualties yet.

The mostly-Kurdish-inhabited town of Jalawla has already been a scene of war between ISIL militants and Kurdish forces known as the Peshmerga forces.

Jalawla was until recently part of a disputed territory between Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), but Kurdish forces took over most parts of it after the withdrawal of Iraqi troops earlier this month in the face of advancing ISIL militants.

Reports indicate ISIL is now in control of the major Arab neighborhood of Tajnid in Jalawla.

Iraq is currently witnessing a wave of violence unprecedented in recent years.

Violence in Iraq escalated last month after militants from the ISIL terrorist group took control of large swathes of the Arab country. The ISIL has vowed to continue its raid toward Baghdad.

SHI/SHI

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