ISIS controls village in Khanaqin after Ashura warning, injuring 3

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — ISIS controlled a Shiite-populated village in Khanaqin district of Diyala province following resistance from inhabitants late on Monday night, according to a Peshmerga commander

“Forty Daesh militants attacked Qaya village, populated by Shiite Arabs, at 10:30 p.m. They controlled the village, burning three houses, two vehicles, and causing the displacement of the people to Sheikh Baba gorges,” said Ahmed Mustafa, using another term for ISIS.

He said the group used a PK machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade launchers in the attack. 

“The residents of the village resisted for 40 minutes but finally Daesh controlled the village,” he said, adding that three civilians were injured.

ISIS had previously warned Shiites against commemorating Ashura. 

“A few days ago Daesh had asked the people not to commemorate Imam Hussein but they denied the threats because some of the residents are members of Asaib Ahl al-Haq and are armed,” explained Mustafa.

Asaib Ahl al-Haq is an Iranian-backed armed militia led by Qais al-Khazali. The organization did not release a statement on the incident.

Khanaqin has seen a recent rise in violence. On September 10, four kidnapped Kurds were killed and decapitated, including a Peshmerga. 

Khanaqin was under administration of the Kurdistan Regional Government until the events of October 16, when Baghdad sent federal forces to take over the disputed areas.