Five ISIS blow themselves up during Hashd raid near Kirkuk

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Five ISIS suicide bombers blew themselves up after they were discovered and surrounded by Hashd al-Shaabi militias near Kirkuk, according to an official.

During a massive raid launched by Hashd al-Shaabi to capture remnants of ISIS near Rashad town, southwest of Kirkuk, “a tunnel and a giant shelter of the militants were discovered. Five suicide bombers were inside the tunnel. They eventually detonated themselves after being surrounded,” announced Ali Husseini, spokesperson of the Hashd on the Kirkuk front.

Husseini added their raids will continue to locate other remaining ISIS militants.

The Hashd al-Shaabi has been tasked with providing security outside of Kirkuk city since October 16.

The operation near Rashad comes on the same day the Iraqi army and Shiite militias announced they are now in control of the Iraq-Syria border, followed by a statement from Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declaring the defeat of ISIS in Iraq.