Iraq launches major anti-IS operation after killings

Iraqi forces advance as they take part in an operation against Baghdad: Iraqi forces on Wednesday launched a large-scale operation against the remains of the Islamic State group following the public's anger over the killing of Muslims. 39, a group of jihadists by the jihadist forces east of Tuz Khurmatu. "Vengeance for the Martyrs", the operation will see the army, special forces, police and Kurdish peshmerga fighters chasing IS cells in the center of the country, said the command of the Joint Operations (JOC) in a statement.

It comes after the bodies of eight EI captives were found at the end of last month along a road north of Baghdad. Some abductees appeared in a video in which IS threatened to execute them unless Baghdad released prisoners.

The JOC statement stated that the army, federal police, special forces, peshmerga fighters and paramilitary force Hashed al-Shaabi a vast operation to clear the area to the east of the country. 39; Diyala-Kirkuk Highway

The operation was supported by the Iraqi Air Force and the US-led coalition that intervened against the IS in Iraq and Iraq. Syria after jihadists took control of much of the two countries in 2014.

A jihadist had already been killed and eight captured, according to the JOC, and equipment, including vehicles and bombs destroyed.

The operation marked the first time that Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga have been working together since the clashes that followed the referendum on Kurdish independence of last year.

Iraq proclaimed victory over ISIS in December after deporting jihadists from all major cities of the country.

But the Iraqi army continued its operations targeting mainly remote desert areas from where jihadists continued to carry out attacks.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi vowed to avenge the eight civilians killed by the IS and ordered the execution of hundreds of convicted jihadists. Thirteen jihadists on death row were executed last week