15 ISIS leaders killed in Iraqi strikes near Kirkuk

At least 15 jihadi leaders from the terrorist group of ISIS were killed in airstrikes in Iraq’s northern province of Kirkuk, Iraqi security sources confirmed.

“Based on accurate security information, the Iraqi air forces hit the [ISIS] terrorists’ headquarters in the town of Hawija, south of Kirkuk, killing at least 15 ISIS top leaders,” Iraqi Intelligence Directorate military said in a statement.

The airstrikes have also caused a huge damage in ISIS buildings and the nearby houses.

The source added that most of the terrorists killed in the strikes were local Arabs.

“Dozens more were injured during the airstrikes,” the statement added. “Also, several ISIS-led armored vehicles parked near the targeted headquarters were bombed in the attack.”

In the meantime, a U.S. soldier was killed in an ISIS-led rocket attack on Saturday in the Iraqi military base of Karasur of Makhmour area. This is the second US casualty in the war against ISIS.

ISIS started to launch arbitrary arrest campaigns against civilians in the areas under its control, forcing hundreds of young men to join the fighting, in a bid to compensate the unprecedented shortage in its manpower, according to local sources.