Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi called for strengthening military forces in Diyala governorate to boost security in the area, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad.
"The PM has ordered the Ministries of Defense and Interior to strengthen the police and the military forces in Diyala governorate to boost security and stability," a statement by the Media Cell said.
A high-ranking delegation headed by the National Security Adviser arrived in Diyala to examine the situation, the statement added, noting that the delegation includes intelligence and security officials.
A number of areas in Diyala have been a target to frequent attacks and security incidents prompting calls for a military campaign to disarm militias and armed factions in an attempt to halt the deteriorating security situation.
According to observers, many armed groups took full control over some areas in the governorate.
National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji has arrived in Diyala on Saturday, heading a high-ranking security delegation to follow up the security situation.
ISIS had suffered its first military defeat in Diyala, Araji said, stressing that now security services have no other choice but to work as a team to preserve this victory.
For his part, Abdulkhaliq al-Azzawi, a member of the parliamentary committee of defense and security affirmed that security commanders have been given the green light to end conflicts in Diyala’s Abi Saida area.
