Iraq tightens security measures after Islamic State sniper threat

Diyala (Iraqinews.com) – Iraqi security forces beefed up their presence in the border areas between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces as a threat of Islamic State snipers started to emerge again, a local official was quoted as saying Saturday.

“Security measures have been tightened in al-Subai’at, Albu Juma’a and al-Mita villages on Diyala-Salahuddin borders due to the sudden and unprecedented activity of Islamic State snipers,” Mohammed Deifan al-Obeidi, the head of al-Azeem’s provincial council, told Alghad Press.

Citing a recent attack on several security checkpoints in the province, al-Obeidi stressed the need for launching a wide-scale security operation to end the threat of Islamic State in these border areas.

The Islamic State group appeared on the international scene in 2014 when it seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, declaring the establishment of an Islamic “caliphate” from Mosul city. Later on, the group has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings, prompting the U.S. to lead an international coalition to destroy it.

In December, Iraq declared victory over Islamic State, however, the group continues to launch sporadic attacks against troops with security reports warning that the militant group still poses a threat against stability in the country.