Blast kills 20 displaced people in northern Iraq

By Othman al-Shalash

SALADIN, Iraq

A roadside bomb killed 20 displaced Iraqis on Saturday while fleeing a Daesh-held town in northern Iraq, according to an Iraqi army officer.

“At least 20 people, mostly women and children, were killed as they were trying to flee Hawija town,” Ghazwan al-Jabouri told Anadolu Agency.

He said the blast took place in Hemrin area on the road between Hawija and the northern city of Tikrit.

Located southwest of Kirkuk, Hawija has been under the control of Daesh militants since mid-2014.

Last month, the Iraqi army -- backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes -- launched a wide-ranging operation aimed at retaking Mosul, the last Daesh stronghold in northern Iraq, from the terrorist group.