A roadside bomb attack on Wednesday tragically claimed the lives of five civilians, all members of the same family, in the southern Iraqi province of Salahaddin, according to a security source.

The deadly incident occurred on a main road in Salahaddin, where the bomb targeted the family’s vehicle, killing all five occupants instantly. The security source did not provide specific details about the exact location of the bombing.

As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State (IS) is suspected, given its history of similar incidents in the region. Despite being declared defeated in Iraq in late 2017, IS continues to pose a significant threat to both civilians and security forces.

Recently, the jihadist group has conducted multiple attacks against Iraqi military forces and the pro-Iran Hashd al-Shaabi militias in Salahaddin and Diyala provinces. Just last week, IS militants targeted the 2nd Battalion of the 32nd Brigade of the 8th Army Division stationed in the village of Alwamahmoud in Kirkuk province, resulting in one soldier's death and injuries to two others.

This bombing marks the second such assault by IS militants within a span of three days. Earlier in the week, IS targeted both Iraqi army units and Hashd al-Shaabi forces in areas between Diyala and Salahaddin provinces. An army officer, critically injured in the village of Mubarak Farhan, later died in the hospital. Additionally, two other soldiers sustained injuries during the attack.

The continued presence and activity of IS militants underline the ongoing security challenges in Iraq, particularly in regions like Salahaddin and Diyala, despite efforts to stabilize these areas. The persistent threat from IS highlights the need for continued vigilance and robust security measures to protect civilians and military personnel alike.