Iraqi forces attack Daesh hideouts in Diyala

Iraqi military forces staged a security operation against suspected Daesh positions in the eastern Diyala province on Monday, according to an Iraqi police officer.

"The operation targeted Daesh cells in Khalawiya, northeast of Baquba," Capt. Habib al-Shammari told Anadolu Agency.

He said a number of Daesh hideouts were destroyed during the operation.

"The swoop was launched upon an intelligence tip-off about activity of Daesh cells in the area," he said.

Meanwhile, a number of families were reportedly forced to leave their homes in Hawd al-Nada area, east of Diyala, after Daesh attacks.

"Some families had to leave their homes in the wake of attacks by Daesh militants in the area," tribal elder Karim al-Nadawi said.

Late last year, officials in Baghdad declared that Daesh's military presence in Iraq had been all but destroyed.

It appears the notorious terrorist group, however, still maintains "sleeper cells" in certain parts of the country.