Members of Iraq's security forces
Kirkuk
Suspected ISIS finance official and seamstress arrested in Hawija
KIRKUK — The Iraqi Military Intelligence Agency announced Wednesday the arrest of a woman accused of serving as a financial guarantor and seamstress for Islamic State group in an operation conducted in Hawija, Kirkuk governorate.
“In a special operation and with exceptional intelligence efforts, as well as field and technical monitoring based on precise intelligence information from the 8th Division’s Intelligence Section, military intelligence officers on Jan. 15, 2025, succeeded in arresting a female ISIS terrorist,” a statement from the agency read.
According to the agency, she was responsible for managing and distributing financial guarantees to families associated with the group in Hawija. She also tailored clothing and military garb for ISIS members.
The suspect was handed over to the authorities in accordance with legal procedures.
In 2014, the Islamic State seized control of major cities such as Mosul and Tikrit, declaring a “caliphate” during its campaign across Iraq. The group became infamous for extreme violence and targeting minority groups. By 2017, it was militarily defeated in Iraq through efforts by Iraqi forces, Kurdish Peshmerga, and a U.S.-led international coalition. Despite this, remnants of ISIS remain active as an insurgent force, carrying out occasional attacks from remote areas of Iraq.
On Tuesday, Baghdad Operations Command reported the arrest of two individuals accused of terrorism during security operations in Baghdad’s Hay Al-Ilam and Hor Rajab. Additionally, explosive material left by ISIS militants was seized in other areas of the capital, namely Tayba and Umm Al-Najm.
Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service also reported on Monday that its forces discovered a hideout belonging to the ISIS group in Anbar governorate, which contained explosive materials.