RNA - A police source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said three bombers with the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group in vehicles packed with explosives hit security forces and the local headquarters of the volunteer fighters in the area of al-Hajjaj, situated seven kilometers (4.3 miles) south of the oil-rich and strategic city of Baiji, on Saturday, killing 14 soldiers, Arabic-language al-Sumaria satellite television network reported.
The source added that another thirteen troops also sustained injuries in the blasts.
Moreover, at least 21 ISIL terrorists were killed in an operation conducted by Iraqi ground forces against the terrorist group in the conflict-ridden western province of Anbar.
Commander of the 7th Division of the Iraqi Army Major General Nauman Abdul Zoubi said the militants were killed after Iraqi government forces repelled an ISIL offensive against the city of Khan al-Baghdadi, situated about 180 kilometers (110 miles) northwest of the capital, Baghdad. Two vehicles belonging to the terrorists and loaded with various kinds of weapons were also destroyed in the process.
Meanwhile, Anbar Provincial Council member, Ammash Aid, said at least 80 US military advisers landed in Habbaniyah military base in Anbar on Saturday, whom he said are tasked with training Iraqi security forces as well as volunteer fighters and providing them with logistical support and military strategies.
The northern and western parts of Iraq have witnessed gruesome violence ever since the ISIL Takfiri militants began their march through Iraqi territory in June 2014. Units of army soldiers and volunteer fighters have joined forces and are seeking to liberate the militant-held regions.
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