Iraq: Armed attack in Al-Azim District, Diyala Province, early Jan. 21

Event

Suspected Islamic State (IS) militants killed 11 Iraqi soldiers at a military base in Al-Azim District, Diyala Province, early Jan. 21. Al-Azim District is located north of Baqubah in Diyala Province.

Context

The attack marks one of the deadliest against the Iraqi military in recent months. Despite former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declaring the military defeat of IS in Iraq in 2017, the militant group maintains small tactical, operational cells throughout Iraq. IS still routinely conducts operations, targeting security forces, power stations, and civilians. In December, at least 10 people, including seven peshmerga security forces, were killed in an attack against a village in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region.