BAGHDAD, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Two Islamic State (IS) militants, including a local leader, were killed Thursday in two airstrikes in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, the Iraqi military said in separate statements.
Iraqi F-16 fighter jets carried out the airstrikes on the militants' location, following months-long tracking efforts and accurate intelligence, said the Iraqi Joint Operations Command's Security Media Cell.
Following the airstrikes, an Iraqi ground force, deployed to the site for clearing operations, found two bodies, one of whom was identified as the senior local leader Mohannad Karim Ali, it said.
While Iraq declared victory over IS in 2017, the group's remnants keep attacking security forces and civilians in cities, deserts and remote areas. Authorities have since intensified aerial and ground campaigns against suspected IS militants. ■
