Iraqi forces attacked an ISIS stronghold on Saturday, in the Al-Ayt area of Diyala province, following the killing of two militants on Friday. At least six members of the Iraqi forces were killed during the operation. 

The Joint Operations Command announced the engagement with ISIS within the orchards of Al-Ayt.

"Security units within the Diyala Operations Command sector, after launching a security operation on Saturday in the Al-Ayt orchards, which have highly complex terrain containing ditches, thickets, and trees that hinder or completely obstruct visibility, surrounded a group of terrorists."

The forces killed and wounded several militants in the operation, according to the statement.

A brigadier in the Diyala Police was injured, and a police major was killed, alongside three further members of the joint security forces, a source told The New Region Saturday night.

"The toll of the Al-Ayt clashes is currently six deaths among army and police personnel, with five wounded," the source said.

Few security members have died and others injured during clashes with #ISIS militants in the orchards of Al-Ayt in #Diyala province, Security Media Cell announced on Saturday.#TheNewRegion pic.twitter.com/ZJLo1pr7Nq

— The New Region (@thenewregion) July 13, 2024

In response to the escalating situation, Iraqi Ministers of Defense and Interior arrived in Diyala on Saturday night. They were there to oversee the ongoing operation and assess the security situation firsthand.

Accompanying them were high-ranking officials, including the Chief of Staff of the Army, Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, and the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations.

The delegation also included the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, the Commander of the Ground Forces, and the Director of Military Intelligence, according to Iraqi state media on Sunday.

The operation followed Friday’s successful mission in the Al-Ayt orchards, which resulted in the killing of two terrorists.

One of the deceased, known as Abu Al-Harith, was identified as Khan Bani Saad's ISIS commander within the Diyala sector, according to the Joint Operations Command statement.