Suspected ISIS militant killed, three surrounded after attack on Hawija police post

HAWIJA — Iraqi security forces killed one suspected Islamic State militant and surrounded three others Saturday after an attack on a Federal Police position in Hawija district, Kirkuk governorate, an Iraqi military intelligence source told 964media.

Attackers opened fire early Saturday on a Federal Police post in Burghliya village, in the Danadish area of Hawija district, before fleeing, the source said.

Federal Police and Iraqi army units pursued the attackers and killed one suspected militant. Three other suspected ISIS members were then surrounded in a cornfield, where clashes were continuing at the time of reporting, the source said.

It was the second attack on the post this week. On Oct. 5, suspected ISIS militants attacked the same position, killing a Federal Police officer, wounding four others and damaging a thermal surveillance camera. ISIS later claimed responsibility for that attack, according to Reuters.

On Oct. 6, Federal Police imposed an overnight curfew on five villages in the Danadish area, including Burghliya, banning vehicle and motorcycle movement from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. as forces searched for the attackers. The restrictions did not extend to central Hawija.

The same day, gunfire targeted thermal surveillance equipment belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces’ 61st Brigade in the area. No casualties were initially reported.

Iraqi security forces have carried out repeated operations against suspected ISIS positions in Kirkuk governorate. On Aug. 10, the Security Media Cell said Iraqi aircraft had destroyed eight suspected militant hideouts. Earlier operations targeted suspected ISIS positions in Wadi Zghaitun, southeast of Hawija.

ISIS lost territorial control in Iraq in 2017, but suspected members remain active in parts of the country, particularly in rural and remote areas.