By Othman al-Shalash

SALADIN, Iraq

Two policemen were killed on Tuesday in a suicide attack by Daesh terrorists in Iraq’s northern Saladin province, according to a local military source.

Army Major Ghazwan Hassan told Anadolu Agency that two Daesh suicide bombers had targeted a checkpoint set up near the entrance of Saladin’s southern city of Samarra, killing two policemen and injuring three Hashd al-Shaabi militiamen.

The Hashd al-Shaabi is a mostly Shia fighting force that was formally incorporated into the Iraqi armed forces late last year.

On the same day, according to Hassan, five other Daesh suicide bombers attacked a second checkpoint in the nearby town of Ishaqi, located some 20 kilometers north of Samarra.

No casualties, however, were reported in the second attack.

In recent days, Daesh -- which overran much of northern and western Iraq in mid-2014 -- has stepped up its attacks in Saladin.