Iraqi forces blame ISIS for attacks that killed 12

At least 12 people have been killed in two separate attacks in Iraq, which the authorities yesterday blamed on militants belonging to ISIS.

The first attack took place on Monday afternoon when “ISIS gangs targeted innocent farmers by shooting at them in the Taza Khurmatu district in the province of Kirkuk”, Iraq’s Security Media Cell said.

Six farmers, who had been busy harvesting wheat, were killed and their farmlands were then set on fire, the authorities said.

Shortly after that attack, gunmen attacked Al Islah village in the Jalawla district of Diyala province.

Snipers and mortars were used in that attack, a police officer said.

Police said the gunmen then took over a house during clashes with the security forces and villagers.

The police officer said six civilians, including two men, were killed. Seven other civilians and one soldier were wounded, he said.

There was no claim of responsibility from ISIS, but the two incidents bear many of the hallmarks of the terrorist organisation, which has carried out similar attacks in the same areas.

Iraq’s President Barham Salih condemned what he called the “heinous and cowardly” attacks, describing them as “villainous attempts to strike at stability and security”.

Mr Salih called for “closing the ranks and supporting security forces to eradicate terrorism and foil its malicious schemes”.

ISIS has intensified its attacks against civilians and members of the security forces in northern and western parts of the country.

It has used dust storms as cover, as the bad weather hampers attempts by the Iraqi army and air force to track the terrorists from the air.

In recent years, the militant group has also torched fields in Iraq and Syria, boasting about the destruction in its propaganda channels.