Iraqi forces arrest four ISIS militants near Adhaim Dam in Diyala

DIYALA — In a raid conducted near the Adhaim Dam in Diyala province last night, Iraqi forces successfully arrested four members of the ISIS group, military sources confirmed.

The Adhaim Dam, located on the Adhaim River, is approximately 133 kilometers northeast of Baghdad, bordering Diyala province. This area has seen sporadic militant activity in recent years.

According to an official source, who spoke to 964media, the operation was carried out by the 2nd Brigade of the 4th Division of the Iraqi army. “The operation took place near the Adhaim Dam, and we were able to apprehend the suspects,” the source stated.

The arrested militants, reportedly of Syrian nationality, were believed to be planning to move to another location. Other suspects were reportedly waiting for the group on motorcycles near the dam, but Iraqi forces were only able to apprehend these four, while the others managed to escape.

On June 25, 2024, Iraqi Army combat units from the 1st Division launched a security operation from three different axes, targeting the eastern section of the Adhaim Dam in northern Diyala. Supported by drones for target tracking, the mission spanned 11 kilometers through challenging terrain. This operation is part of a broader strategy aimed at eradicating any remaining ISIS activity around Diyala’s second-largest dam.

In recent months, the Iraqi army has ramped up efforts against remnants of ISIS cells still active in several provinces, particularly in Kirkuk, Diyala, and Salah Al-Din governorates. On September 19, Iraq’s Joint Operations Command reported that three airstrikes in the Kirkuk region had killed six suspected ISIS members, including a high-ranking figure within the group.