Daesh attack kills 9 Shia militia fighters in Iraq

By Suleiman al-Qubaisi

ANBAR, Iraq

Nine fighters of a Shia militia were killed in a Daesh attack near Iraq's border with Syria on Wednesday, according to an Iraqi military officer.

Daesh terrorists attacked a post of the Hashd al-Shaabi north of Al-Waleed border crossing with Syria, the officer said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media.

"Nine fighters were killed and 23 others injured in the attack," he said.

Eleven Daesh militants were also killed and others injured in ensuing clashes with militia fighters, according to the military officer.

An umbrella group of pro-government Shia militias, the Hashd al-Shaabi was established in 2014 to fight Daesh.

The militia occasionally comes under Daesh attacks near border between Iraq and Syria.

Last month, Iraqi forces dislodged Daesh from Mosul, the terrorist group's last stronghold in northern Iraq.