Drone downed in central Kirkuk, security source says
Representational photo.
Speaking to AlSumaria News, the source said, “a drone that was flying above governmental building toward Atlas street in central Kirkuk has been downed by the Counter-Terrorism Service.”
“Investigations have been conducted to identify the drone’s type and work and whether it was for taking photographs,” the source, who asked to remain anonymous, added.
Security services banned drones, last year, for security reasons, as they were used by Islamic State militants for surveillance and taking photographs of military targets.
Sabah al-Noaman, spokesperson for the army’s elite Counter-Terrorism Service, denied on Thursday news on confrontations with gunmen in Kirkuk, saying situation under control. This came after several news reports mentioned that unidentified gunmen opened fire against a patrol of joint troops in the region, located east of Kirkuk without casualties reported among security personnel.
On Sunday, two suicide attacks took place in central Kirkuk, leaving a civilian killed and 21 others wounded.
Operations were launched in late September to liberate Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk, before Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced freeing the town in October.
Iraqi troops managed to retake several Islamic State strongholds including Mosul and Tal Afar in Nineveh, Hawija in Kirkuk and Annah and Qaim in Anbar.