Iraqi security forces on Friday repelled an attack by Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq's northern central province of Salahudin, leaving at least nine security members killed and some 24 others wounded, a provincial security source said.

Dozens of IS militants attacked in the early morning a military base housing army and paramilitary Hashd Shaabi unit in Mettiebeja area in the eastern part of Salahudin province, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The troops fought heavy clashes against the attackers and managed to repel their attack, the source said.

The battles left nine security members killed and 24 others wounded, he said without giving further details about the casualties among the extremist militants.

Iraq has witnessed intense violence since the IS took control of parts of its northern and western regions in June 2014.

Many blame the current chronic instability, cycle of violence, and the emergence of extremist groups, such as the IS, on the U.S. that invaded and occupied Iraq in March 2003 under the pretext of seeking to destroy weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the country.

The war led to the ouster and eventual execution of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, but no WMD was found. Endit

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