18 killed as Iraqi forces repel IS attack

At least 18 people, including 14 militants, were killed and 23 others injured as Iraqi security forces repelled an Islamic State (IS) militants' attack in Diyala province, a security source said Sunday.

The attack occurred around Saturday midnight when dozens of IS militants, including suicide bombers, attacked al-Udheim dam. But it was repelled by the Iraqi soldiers and allied Shia militias following four-hour clashes, Xinhua quoted the source as saying.

The security forces killed at least 14 IS militants, including their leader, an Arab national known as Abu Mu'ath, in addition to destroying three booby-trapped cars and seizing four vehicles carrying weapons and ammunition.

Two soldiers and two Shia militiamen were also killed and 23 wounded in the clashes, the source added.

In late January, the Iraqi security forces said the troops and allied Shia militias freed the whole province of Diyala from the IS militants after days of major offensive.