Iraqi premier orders probe into Diyala’s sectarian violence

BAGHDAD

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Thursday ordered a comprehensive investigation into the sectarian clashes in Diyala city during the past two days, which left 23 people dead.

In a statement, the country's Interior Ministry said: “Interior Minister Othman al-Ghanimi conveyed condolences and sympathy of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mustafa al-Kadhimi to families in the village of Al-Rashad and the village of Nahr Al-Imam in Diyala Governorate.”

On Wednesday, eight Sunni civilians were killed by Shia gunmen in an apparent revenge attack in Iraq’s eastern Diyala province.

The attack came a day after suspected Daesh/ISIS terrorists attacked the predominantly Shia village of al-Rashad in Diyala Tuesday evening, killing at least 15 people and injuring 13 others.

In recent months, Daesh/ISIS terrorists have escalated their attacks, especially in the area between Kirkuk, Salahuddin, and Diyala, known as the “Triangle of Death”.

In 2017, Iraq declared victory over Daesh/ISIS by reclaiming all territories the terrorist group controlled since the summer of 2014, about one-third of the country’s territory.

The group, however, still maintains sleeper cells in large areas of Iraq and occasionally launches attacks.

* Writing by Bassel Barakat in Ankara

BAGHDAD

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Thursday ordered a comprehensive investigation into the sectarian clashes in Diyala city during the past two days, which left 23 people dead.

On Wednesday, eight Sunni civilians were killed by Shia gunmen in an apparent revenge attack in Iraq’s eastern Diyala province.

The attack came a day after suspected Daesh/ISIS terrorists attacked the predominantly Shia village of al-Rashad in Diyala Tuesday evening, killing at least 15 people and injuring 13 others.

In recent months, Daesh/ISIS terrorists have escalated their attacks, especially in the area between Kirkuk, Salahuddin, and Diyala, known as the “Triangle of Death”.

In 2017, Iraq declared victory over Daesh/ISIS by reclaiming all territories the terrorist group controlled since the summer of 2014, about one-third of the country’s territory.

The group, however, still maintains sleeper cells in large areas of Iraq and occasionally launches attacks.

* Writing by Bassel Barakat in Ankara