Tens of ISIS hideouts destroyed and several militants killed in an air-land operation by Iraqi forces in three disputed areas. Two members of Iraq security forces killed and seven injured, Iraqi military officials said.
Under the supervision and planning of the Joint Operations Command, Iraqi F-16 warplanes launched a series of air strikes, in the area between the north of Salahaddin to southwest of Kirkuk, said major-General Yehia Rasool, spokesperson for commander-in-chief. Ten air strikes carried out, a number of terrorists were killed and several hideouts destroyed, Rasool added.
Ten air strikes carried out, a number of terrorists were killed and several hideouts destroyed, Rasool added.
The operations upon instructions of Iraqi PM and commander of armed forces Mustafa alKadhimi aim at putting an end to threats and attacks by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria ISIS militants, Iraqi military commanders said.
Following escalation of ISIS attacks killing over 15 members of Iraqi forces and tens injured, a wide range of operations launched in Khanaqin, Daquq and Duz Khurmatu disputed territories.
In February 2021, regrouping remnants of ISIS have killed 10 fighters of pro-Shiite militia Popular Mobilization Forces PMF and 9 were injured in several assaults targeting security forces and the civilians in the region. Material damage hit houses and farms of the local residents.
In the last few months, IS fighters has carried out numerous attacks in the areas located between those controlled by Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmarga fighters, taking advantage of the security vacuum in those territories.
After 2003, article 140 of Iraqi constitution in 2005 was outlined as a framework for the determination of the fate of the disputed territories. The three-stage process requires the normalization of the areas, conducting a census, and holding a referendum to know the will of the people to join Baghdad federal government or Iraq's Kurdistan region government KRG. Up today, part of the first stage has been implemented.
Operation by Iraqi forces against ISIS between Kirkuk and Salahaddin provinces in June 2020. Photo by Soran Mohammed.
Following the airstrikes, a ground operation launched and 70 IEDs defused, six tunnels and 25 hideouts were destroyed, and 10 barrels of C4 explosives were found, Rasool said in a statement.
Iraq Federal Police forces, Joint Operations Command in Kirkuk, the Popular Mobilization Forces, two brigades of the Special Forces, and Rapid Response Division took part in the operations. Two members of Iraq security forces were killed and seven injured.
"A soldier of Rapid response division was killed by an IED and three others were injured," an intelligence officer in Daquq southwest of Kirkuk, unauthorized to speak to the media, anonymously told KirkukNow.
"The bombed hideout southwest of Daquq is possibly used for manufacturing IED as explosive materials such as TNT and magnetic grenades were found there," he added. An ISIS militant was captured in charge of paying sleeper cells in town, he added.
"The bombed hideout southwest of Daquq is possibly used for manufacturing IED as explosive materials such as TNT and magnetic grenades were found there," he added.
PMF said in a statement that a member was killed by IED.
Iraqi army in coordination with PMF supported by air forces commenced an anti-ISIS operation in several fields in Khanaqin district, north east of Diyalah province dawn of February 28th, Iraqi army and PMF said.
Four Iraqi soldiers were injured in the village of Islah by IS snipers. The village of Islah of Jalawla sub-district of Khanaqin district for being close to Sirwan riverside is a hot target for IS militants due to its geographical location. Khanaqin, located north east of Baghdad, is on the disputed territories, home to Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens, on the border with Iran.
Senior commander of Peshmarga, Iraqi Kurdish fighters, in Khanaqin said there is no coordination and cooperation with Iraqi troops in the late operations despite recent activities of ISIS in the region.
There is no coordination and cooperation with Iraqi troops in the late operations despite recent activities of ISIS in the region.
The fighters of the extremist group ISIS are regrouping south of Kirkuk and carry out operations against local police. On Feb. 11, IS fighters assaulted local police point in Arab Koy village south of Daquq, two policemen were killed and two were injured.
Daquq district, 44 southwest of Kirkuk is home for Kaka'i, or Yarsanism, a secretive monotheist spiritual religion which has not been officially recognized in the Iraqi constitution. The Kaka’i community and their villages are a target for extremist Islamic militants whom persecuted them as they accuse them of being defectors.
In mid February, Iraqi minister of interior has criticized senior security officials in Kirkuk Northern Province for security gap and improper coordination and exchange of intelligence information following in a meeting with local security commanders. Interior minister has ordered review and reorganization of the province security plan to fill in the security gaps.
