A view of Kirkuk city.
'Main role' in group's logistics
Joint operation nabs wanted ISIS suspects on outskirts of Kirkuk
KIRKUK — Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service, the Kurdish Counter-Terrorism Group and international coalition forces arrested several wanted individuals during a joint military and intelligence operation, ICTS said in a statement on Saturday.
The detainees were former fighters in the Islamic State group who had relocated to the outskirts of Kirkuk after the group’s territorial defeat, according to the statement.
Security forces said the suspects played a “main role” in supplying logistical support to ISIS sleeper cells and active networks in the Kirkuk area.
The arrests were carried out through an intelligence-led operation without casualties, and the suspects have been referred to the judiciary for legal proceedings.
“This joint operation confirms the continued coordination and cooperation between security forces to maintain security and stability in the region and combat terrorism,” the statement concluded.
Iraqi security forces also confirmed Saturday that a Jan. 31 airstrike in Salah Al-Din targeted and killed senior Islamic State leaders, according to a statement from the Joint Operations Command.
The Islamic State group rose to prominence in 2014, seizing control of major cities such as Mosul and Tikrit and declaring a “caliphate.” The group was known for extreme violence and attacks on minorities. By 2017, Iraqi forces, Kurdish Peshmerga and a U.S.-led coalition had militarily defeated ISIS in Iraq. However, its remnants continue to operate as an insurgent force, launching periodic attacks from remote areas.
