Photo: AA.
DIYALA, Iraq: At least four refugees were killed in a bomb blast Saturday while trying to flee a Islamic State-held area in northern Iraq, according to a local police officer.
The bomb exploded as a group of refugees were moving to Saladin province after fleeing the IS-held Hawija city in northern Iraq, First Lieutenant Sermed al-Khafaji told Anadolu Agency.
“The bombing has left eight other refugees injured,” he said.
According to the Iraqi officer, IS militants were planting landmines to prevent civilians from fleeing areas under their control.
Since late October, the Iraqi army, backed by the U.S.-led coalition warplanes and local allies on the ground, has been trying to recapture Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, from IS terrorist group.
IS has overrun Mosul, along vast swathes of territory in northern and western Iraq, in 2014.
