Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service arrests two suspects in Sulaymaniyah

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service said Tuesday its units arrested two suspects on terrorism charges in Sulaymaniyah and carried out separate operations across three governorates to target hideouts used by Islamic State remnants.

The CTS said the arrests in Sulaymaniyah followed “precise intelligence efforts” and were coordinated with the General Directorate of Counter-Terrorism in the governorate.

In its statement, the agency said additional operations were conducted in the Khasa Valley and Zaghitun Valley in Kirkuk, in the Hamrin mountain range in Diyala, and in the Makhoul mountain range in Salah al-Din. It said the missions destroyed several hideouts and positions used by ISIS cells and included the detonation of explosive devices and other materials prepared for use.

The CTS said its forces “continue to prevent any attempt to target peace” in Iraq.

ISIS overran Mosul, Tikrit, and other cities in 2014 before Iraqi forces, Kurdish Peshmerga, and a U.S.-led coalition recaptured the territory and declared victory in 2017. The group’s last redoubt in Syria fell in 2019. Its remaining fighters now operate in small cells in remote or rugged terrain.

In August, Iraqi military officials said ISIS no longer poses a strategic threat inside the country, crediting daily security sweeps and intelligence operations. “Our security forces are capable and fully prepared to deal with any security developments,” armed forces spokesperson Sabah al-Numan told the Iraqi News Agency at the time. “They are receiving continuous blows, thanks to the determination and vigilance of our forces.”