MOSCOW (Sputnik) — One of the leaders of the Islamic State extremist group, known as Abu Maria, has been killed in a military operation to liberate the Iraqi city of Tikrit, local media reported Monday.
According to a military source, cited by IRIB channel, the Islamic State leader was killed near the Ajeel oil field close to Tikrit.
The source was quoted as saying that the military operation was carried out with data received from locals.
One of Abu Maria's assistants was also reportedly killed in the operation.
Tikrit has been under ISIL control since June 2014. On March 31, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi declared victory over IS militants in the city.
Iraq is one of the countries suffering the advance of the Islamic State since 2014. In 2012, the IS launched activities in Syria.
IS positions are currently targeted by airstrikes conducted by the US-led international coalition of countries, while Iraqi forces are fighting on the ground.
