Airstrikes kill 3 ISIL leaders in Iraq

(With MIL-US-ISIL-AIRSTRIKES) BAGHDAD, March 19 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi Ministry of Defense said Thursday that US-led coalition airstikes hit ISIL targets in Fallujah and Anbar province, killing three field commanders of the militant group.
A press release by the Ministry identified the slain leaders as Maher Hassan - in charge of the organization's military planning in the central province, and Abu-Dojana and Abu-Ihsan - who are responsible for the bomb attacks.
Another airstrike on Al-Saqlawiya neighborhood, to the north of the city, hit an arms cache where 130 missiles were destroyed and a number of ISIL members were killed, according to the statement a copy of which was received by KUNA here.
The militant group controls large swathes of Al-Anbar, including Falluja, Al-Qaem, Haditha and Al-Rutbah, and tries to control Al-Ramadi.
Earlier today it claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on a military site in Baghdad where 13 Iraqi soldiers were killed. (end) mhg.gb