Al-Sumaria Iraqi media outlet reported on Wednesday that a malfunction on an explosive belt detonated and killed 16 terrorists belonging to ISIS, including senior leaders.

The explosion occurred during a meeting in al-Mahaws village, 55km southwest of Kirkuk.

Al-Sumeria stated, “Today, an explosion took place amid a meeting of ISIS members in al-Mahawes village in Hawija district,” adding that, “The explosion resulted in the killing of 16 members of the Islamic State (ISIS) group, including senior leaders, as well as wounding 16 others.”

“A number of the ISIS members were wearing explosive belts during the meeting, and the explosion took place due to a defect in one of them,” Sumaria explained. “The meeting was held to prepare for an attack on the positions of the security forces in Hamrin Mountains, al-Zawiya area and Ajil area in Salahuddin Province,” the report added.