Iraqi forces target militant hideouts in Salah Al-Din

SALAH AL-DIN — Early Saturday, the Iraqi military conducted an airstrike on three militant hideouts in Tuz Khurmatu, located in the eastern sector of Salah Al-Din governorate, approximately 180 kilometers north of Baghdad, as per a statement from the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.

The Security Media Cell, a part of the Joint Operations Command, confirmed that Cessna Caravan aircraft executed the strike at dawn, resulting in the complete destruction of the hideouts and neutralization of those inside. “The operation targeted three militant hideouts in Tuz Khurmatu under the command of Eastern Salah Al-Din Operations,” the statement detailed.

Intelligence reports had indicated that these locations were being used by militants planning attacks against security forces and civilians. The statement did not clarify which groups were involved or if the targets were remnants of ISIS, although the Joint Operations Command has previously carried out similar strikes against ISIS remnants in various Iraqi governorate.

Further illustrating ongoing military efforts, on August 22, the Joint Operations Command deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike an ISIS hideout in the Hamrin Mountain Range in Diyala Governorate. This operation destroyed the hideout along with all individuals present, and also eliminated a fuel tank, ammunition, and logistical supplies used by ISIS militants for movement and support activities in the area.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani recently remarked on the effectiveness of these operations, stating, “Remnants of the Islamic State are no longer a threat to Iraq, with the country enjoying security and stability and on a trajectory of recovery.” His comments marked the tenth anniversary of Mosul’s fall to ISIS.

Although ISIS was territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017, the group still manages to launch attacks, bombings, and abductions, particularly from the Syrian desert and within some Iraqi governorates. On May 3, 2024, Iraq’s national security service reported the arrest of 20 ISIS members in the regions of Nineveh, al-Anbar, and Kirkuk, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat their activities.