The Iraqi troops killed on Tuesday 20 Deash militants in Diyala province north of the capital Baghdad.
An infantry division in cooperation with the popular mobilization forces, backed by the Iraqi warplanes, carried out a preemptive operation and controlled several hills held by Daesh militants in Diyala province towards Salahuddin, a statement by the Iraqi Defense Ministry said.
More than 20 militants were killed during the operation, according to the statement.