Kirkuk:Two Iraqi military personnel, including an officer, were killed when an explosive device detonated in Kirkuk province in northern Iraq. The device, left behind by the ISIS (Daesh) terror organization, claimed the lives of Brig. Gen. Ahat Yasser Khudair Hussein, head of the Communications Command of the 11th Infantry Division, and Warrant Officer Moataz Shaheed Abbas.

According to Anadolu Agency, the explosion occurred while the personnel were inspecting a site in Zaghaitoun Valley that had been targeted by an airstrike against a hideout used by ISIS cells.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry condemned the attack and reiterated its commitment to pursuing remnants of the terror organization and cutting off their sources of support. Despite Baghdad's declaration of victory over ISIS in December 2017 and the reclaiming of all territories the group controlled since 2014, ISIS cells continue to conduct sporadic attacks.