By Ali Jawad and Hussein al-Amir

NINEVEH, Iraq

Four Iraqi soldiers and allied fighters were killed in a Daesh attack in northern Iraq on Saturday, according to a local military officer.

Scores of Daesh militants mounted a deadly attack on the villages of Hawrya and al-Khadranya in Shirqat district of Saladin province, triggering clashes with Iraqi forces, army lieutenant Hajem al-Saedi told Anadolu Agency.

He said the attack left four soldiers and pro-government fighters dead and eight others injured.

At least 14 militants were also killed in the attack, according to al-Saedi.

In another development, at least 16 Daesh militants were killed in fighting with pro-government Hashd al-Shaabi fighters east of Baiji city in northern Iraq.

He said casualties were also reported among members of the Hashd al-Shaabi fighters.

Iraqi forces, backed by air cover from a U.S.-led coalition, are currently engaged in a wide-scale offensive aimed at dislodging Daesh from Mosul, the terrorist group's last stronghold in northern Iraq.