UPDATE – Six Hashd fighters killed in N. Iraq: Defense Ministry

ADDS TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT </p> <p>By Hussein al-Amir and Vakkas Dogantekin</p> <p>BAGHDAD/ANKARA (AA) – Gunmen ambushed a group of Hashd al-Shaabi fighters on the Mosul-Kirkuk road in northern Iraq leaving six dead, according to local police and army sources.</p> <p>“Daesh terrorists ambushed a group of Hashd fighters late Wednesday as they returned from patrol,” Kirkuk Police Captain Hamed al-Obeidi told Anadolu Agency on Thursday.</p> <p>In a statement, the Iraqi Defense Ministry confirmed that a Hashd al-Shaabi position on the Mosul-Kirkuk road had come under attack, leaving six Hashd al-Shaabi fighters dead and more than 30 injured.</p> <p>The Turkish Foreign Ministry has since issued a statement condemning the attack, noting that some of the victims were from Iraq’s Turkmen community.</p> <p>“We strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack.</p> <p>“We convey our condolences to all our Turkmen brothers and the friendly people of Iraq and wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the wounded,” the statement said.</p> <p>A predominantly Shia fighting force, Iraq’s Hashd al-Shaabi was drawn up in 2014 with the express purpose of fighting Daesh. In 2017, it was formally incorporated into the Iraqi army.</p> <p>In late 2017, officials in Baghdad declared that Daesh's military presence in Iraq had been all but destroyed. </p> <p>Nevertheless, the Iraqi army continues to carry out frequent operations against the group’s lingering presence in certain parts of the country.