Islamic State militants have stepped up their attacks on security forces in north-eastern Iraq, reportedly killing at least 18 people since the weekend.
Four tribal militia fighters and three soldiers died in three incidents in Salahuddin, Kirkuk and Diyala provinces on Monday night, security sources said.
Diyala also saw multiple attacks and clashes on Saturday and Sunday.
Analysts believe IS is taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic, which is occupying the authorities' attention.
Politicians are also distracted by talks on the formation of a new government and the impact on the economy of the collapse in global oil prices.
At its height in 2014, IS controlled some 88,000sq km (34,000sq miles) of land stretching from western Syria to eastern Iraq, and imposed its brutal rule on almost eight million people.,
Iraqi pro-government forces declared victory against the jihadist group in late 2017, but several thousand militants are believed to be still active in the country.
Many have been hiding out in and mounting attacks from tunnel networks and caves in the Hamrin mountains, which straddle Diyala, Kirkuk and Salahuddin.
