The operation dealt the latest major blow to the extremist group as the deceased leaders were the masterminds behind IS violence and terrorist attacks in the province.

Earlier this month, Iraqi security forces launched sporadic raids as part of large-scale operations to hunt down IS militants hiding in the Himreen mountain range, killing many extremist militants and destroying many of their hideouts.

The security situation in Iraq has dramatically improved after Iraqi security forces fully defeated the extremist IS militants across the country in late 2017.