HILLA, Iraq (AFP) - Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) jihadist fighters killed at least 23 Iraqi soldiers and members of allied Shiite militia in a flashpoint area south of Baghdad, army sources said on Saturday.

ISIS militants firing salvos of mortar rounds began attacking the town of Jurf al-Sakhr late Friday, killing 11 soldiers and 12 members of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, an officer and army medic said.

Another seven soldiers were wounded during a subsequent government operation against jihadist fighters in Jurf al-Sakhr, Al-Hamya and Latifiya, the sources said.