(VOVworld) - Iraqi security forces broke the Islamic State (IS) militant group's months-long siege of a town in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala.

Shi'ite volunteers are seen with their weapons during an intensive security deployment to fight against militants of the Islamic State, formerly known as the Islamic State in Tuz Khurmatu August 31, 2014. (photo: reuters)

The authority of Qara-Tabba town in Diyala province said security forces, backed by Shiite militias and Kurdish forces, carried out an offensive against IS militants in the rural area around the town. Rahim Aziz al-Kabchi, mayor of the town, said the army had freed the whole town from IS and killed at least 14 IS militants.

Earlier in the day, the provincial police chief said that Iraqi forces had clashed with IS militants in the rural area near Himreen Lake, which is located between Qara-Tabba and the nearby town of Jalawlaa. At least nine IS militants were killed and four vehicles carrying heavy machine guns were destroyed.