TIKRIT, Iraq – The Islamic State (ISIS) group killed at least 12 members of the Iraqi security forces Sunday, January 3, when several suicide attackers infiltrated a base near Tikrit, security officials said.
The target was a police force from Nineveh, the northern province of which Mosul is the capital, that was undergoing training at the Speicher military base.
"Under the cover of fog, they broke into Speicher," said Mahmud al-Sorchi, spokesman for the paramilitary force being set up to take back ISIS-held Nineveh.
"Nineveh police managed to kill 7 attackers but 3 were able to detonate their suicide vests," he said, adding that 3 officers were among the 12 policemen killed.
He also said 20 policemen were wounded in the attack, which took place in the middle of the night.
Several other security sources in the region confirmed the attack, which was claimed by ISIS.
The jihadist organization said 7 suicide attackers managed to enter the huge military base, which lies about 160 kilometers north of Baghdad.
In a statement posted online, ISIS said its commando reached a center where 1,200 cadets were being trained, sparking clashes that lasted 4 hours. – Rappler.com