ERBIL - At least 17 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in a military campaign conducted by the Iraqi forces to eliminate the extremist group's hotgeds in the province of Diyala on Sunday, an army commander said.

"The military operation, which was launched yesterday [Sunday] in the northern and northeastern parts of Diyala, was typical and caused many casualties among Islamic State fighters," Commander of Diyala Operations Mazhar al-Azzawi told Alghad Press on Monday, as cited by Iraqi News.

"The operation, backed by army jets, left 17 Islamic State fighters dead and 10 of their hideouts destroyed," Azzawi stated, adding that the country's army "is determined" to continue on such campaigns to make sure the whole province will be secured from IS dormant cells, according to the news agency.

Islamic State was declared defeated throughout the country in December, last year, but it has once again regrouped itself in most liberated areas.

Basnews