After 7:00 PM, when darkness had completely fallen, Iraqi Army forces abruptly closed all entrances to the center of the Prdy (Altun Kupri) sub-district Kirkuk following reports received by security agencies about a suspicious vehicle carrying several individuals.
The closure of the entrances to the sub-district, located north of oil-rich, multi-ethnic province of Kirkuk, resulted in significant traffic congestion, particularly because the main highway linking Kirkuk and Erbil passes through the area. At the same time, army units launched search operations to locate the suspicious vehicle.
Security forces were keen to avoid any confrontation that could put civilians at risk, particularly in light of the events of last September. At that time, clashes between the Counter-Terrorism Service and armed individuals resulted in the deaths of two young men from Altun Kupri, triggering widespread public anger and protests.
During the developments of November 13, 2026, suspicions intensified across Altun Kupri, creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. Gunfire and armed confrontations were reported before the situation came to an end approximately an hour later, following a powerful airstrike.
Clashes on the Outskirts of Altun Kupri
The incident started when a vehicle carrying several individuals entered the Prdy. Its presence raised concerns among local residents, who subsequently informed security forces, according to information provided to KirkukNow by security sources.
After realizing that their movements had attracted attention, the individuals inside the vehicle disappeared. Security forces then launched extensive search and inspection operations throughout the center of Altun Kupri and nearby areas.
As the search operations continued, armed clashes erupted between Iraqi Army forces and militants on the outskirts of Prdy. Iraqi fighter jets subsequently carried out airstrikes against the suspected targets.
The northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk, which is rich in oil and characterized by its diverse ethnic composition, is home to more than 2.34 million people, including Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen. It remains among Iraq’s disputed territories, with both the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) claiming authority over its status. The province’s future is closely linked to Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which establishes a framework for resolving the dispute through three key stages: normalization, conducting a population census, and holding public referendums.
Kirkuk, November 13, 2026: Iraqi Army forces close the entrances to Prdy (Altun Kupri). Image: Social media
In a statement issued on the evening of the incident, the Security Media Cell announced that Iraqi fighter aircraft had carried out strikes against specific targets at approximately 8:00 PM. The operation was conducted in coordination with military intelligence and the Kirkuk Joint Operations Command.
According to the statement, three militants were killed, while the individual accused of transporting them was arrested. Search and clearance operations continued following the airstrikes.
In a separate announcement released that same evening, the Kirkuk Operations Command confirmed that three militants had been killed and one suspect detained during a security operation near the Altun Kupri sub-district, which involved intelligence personnel and air force units.
Reports indicate that the detained individual, who allegedly transported the militants, had been employed as a guard at a farm in one of the villages within the sub-district.
Last October, Iraq’s Ministry of Defense has deployed the 17th Division of the Iraqi Army to Hawija District, southwest of Kirkuk.
The deployment brings the number of military divisions responsible for securing Kirkuk province to three. Despite this reinforcement, calls continue for the establishment of joint security forces to address security gaps in areas between the Kurdistan Regional Government KRG and the federal government.
A Militant Operating Undercover
Security sources speaking to KirkukNow revealed that the individual arrested on suspicion of arranging transportation for the militants was originally from Mosul and had been working in a village within the Altun Kupri sub-district.
The suspect reportedly worked on a farm belonging to a Kurdish family, presenting agricultural activities and livestock farming as the nature of his employment. However, security sources alleged that he used this position to conceal other activities, including facilitating the movement of militants and providing them with assistance in the area.
Following the security incident, the Kirkuk Operations Command issued an order banning individuals who are not residents of the Prdy (Altun Kupri) sub-district from working in its villages.
Meanwhile, an intelligence document was circulated among media outlets on the night of the incident. It reportedly indicated that several militants, including Syrian nationals, were heading toward Altun Kupri with the intention of carrying out suicide attacks.
The document bears the date November 6, approximately one week before the incident. However, KirkukNow has not been able to independently establish the full authenticity of the information contained in it.
The deployment of another division of the Iraqi army comes amid a series of security incidents that authorities have attributed to increased activity by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) elements. These developments have raised concerns about the safety of security personnel and residents of villages across the province.
Early October, an armed group identified by security forces as ISIS members attacked a military checkpoint in Hawija District, resulting in clashes. In a separate incident, an improvised explosive device detonated in the Al-Rashad sub-district, killing two Iraqi Army officers and one soldier.
Kirkuk, November 2026: Iraqi Army personnel conduct search and clearance operations in the southern parts of the province. Ministry of Defense
Altun Kupri: Between Two Security Incidents
The methods adopted by Iraqi Army forces during the latest operation recalled a tragic incident that took place in Prdy around six weeks earlier, when a counterterrorism operation ended with deadly consequences.
Last September, armed confrontations broke out between the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) and several militants in the center of the sub-district, specifically inside a shop. The incident resulted in the deaths of two young men after they were caught in the gunfire.
The deaths prompted demonstrations by local residents and led to the establishment of an investigative committee.
The operation attracted considerable criticism, particularly from the families of the two victims, who questioned the security forces' approach and condemned the use of automatic weapons in a densely populated area.
Subsequently, investigative committees were formed by the Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister and the Counter-Terrorism Service. Nevertheless, the results of these investigations have not yet been officially made public.
Arshad al-Salihi, a Member of Parliament representing the Iraqi Turkmen Front ITF, commented on the initial incident in Altun Kupri (Perde), stating, "We had previously warned about the presence of suspicious individuals—posing as farmers—within the borders of Altun Kupri and its surrounding areas."
He also urged the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to strengthen the federal military presence in Kirkuk by sending additional troops and deploying security forces along the province's administrative boundaries.
Military Movements Across Kirkuk
The latest security operation in Altun Kupri took place amid ongoing military and security activities across different parts of Kirkuk, aimed at tracking down members of (ISIS/Daesh).
On November 9, Military Intelligence announced that an airstrike conducted by F-16 fighter jets had targeted three militants and destroyed one of their hideouts in the Wadi al-Zaghaitoun area of Kirkuk.
Two days later, on November 11, the same agency announced the discovery of three additional militant hideouts. Weapons, food supplies, and logistical materials were reportedly recovered from these locations.
In a separate development, the Iraqi Army announced that it had carried out a large-scale search operation in areas south of Kirkuk on November 13. The operation resulted in the discovery of three improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
