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Late on October 26, around 30 people were killed or wounded in the eastern Iraqi province of Diyala in an attack that was attributed to ISIS.
The terrorist attack took place in the town of al-Rashad, which is located near the city of al-Miqdadiyah in the heart of Diyala. A security source from the province shared the details of the unusual attack with the Shafaq News outlet.
“ISIS members kidnapped three civilians from the al-Hawasha -now known as al-Rashad area- and demanded a ransom for their release,” the source said. “When the families of the captives went to pay the ransom and retrieve their children, ISIS members opened fire, which caused panic, many people ran to the scene and fell into an ambush set by ISIS members.”
According to Shafaq News, 14 people were killed and more than 15 others were wounded as a result of the attack. All the victims were members of the Shiite Bani Tamimi tribe.
A delegation of senior Iraqi security officials visited al-Miqdadiyah following the attack. Furthermore, the Popular Mobilization Units announced its readiness to help secure the town. The attack was also condemned by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, who vowed to pursue the terrorists responsible for this crime.
“We stand firm on our pledge that we will continue to chase terrorists inside and outside Iraq. The al-Miqdadiyah crime will not go unpunished. Their heinous crimes strengthen our determination to uproot them from Mesopotamia,” the acting PM said on Twitter.
This was one of ISIS bloodiest attacks in Iraq this year. The terrorist group’s cells are getting bolder, despite facing much pressure from Iraqi government forces.
In March, ISIS cells committed a very similar massacre in the town of al-Budur in the northern province of Saladin. Eight people, including two women, were killed by the terrorists.
“in an attack that was attributed to ISIS”
The question is who is “isis” in these latest incidents? Western special forces? Anyone can be isis for a day, week, month etc.