At least one officer was killed and four wounded in an assault on a federal police site near Hawija, Reuters reported, citing security sources. It was the first reported Islamic State attack on Iraqi security forces since the U.S. withdrawal was completed.
At least one Iraqi federal policeman was killed and four others wounded on Monday when gunmen attacked a federal police site near Hawija, about 70 km (43 miles) southwest of Kirkuk, two security sources told Reuters. The attackers used semi-automatic machine guns and sniper fire against the police regiment stationed there.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Security and army sources told Reuters that Islamic State militants, who remain active in the area, were involved. The assault was the first reported Islamic State attack on Iraqi security forces since U.S. forces completed their withdrawal from Iraq on September 30, ending their military mission in the country.
Washington has said it will continue targeted training and intelligence support, while Iraqi forces assume full responsibility for national security and suppressing Islamic State remnants. The group’s self-declared caliphate was defeated nearly a decade ago, but sleeper cells remain in Iraq. Iraqi officials had warned Reuters before the withdrawal that a security vacuum could give the group an opening to regain strength.