Two Islamic State (IS) militants were killed and two others wounded on Wednesday in a clash with Iraqi troops in the central province of Salahuddin, Xinhua reported, citing Iraqi military officials.

According to intelligence reports, Iraqi troops ambushed four IS militants in the remote Balkan region in the northeastern part of the province and engaged them in combat.

One of the eliminated militants was a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt, while the two wounded fled the scene, the statement said.

Then Iraqi troops, backed by military intelligence drones, carried out an operation to search for the militants, the statement said.

Although Iraq declared victory over IS in 2017, remnants of the terrorist group continue to carry out attacks on security forces and civilians in urban areas, deserts and remote regions.