Four Islamic State militants arrested among displaced persons in Kirkuk
Iraqi troops arrest a suspected Islamic State militant
Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi security forces arrested on Monday four Islamic State militants at a camp for the displaced persons in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, the Interior Ministry spokesman said.
“Arrest warrants had been issued for the four terrorists for joining the Islamic State militant group,” Almaalomah news website quoted Major General Saad Maan as saying.
“The four terrorists were hiding among the displaced persons in Kirkuk,” the spokesman said, adding that all legal procedures were taken against the arrestees.
Kirkuk officials previously urged reinforcing military troops in the south and west of the province, as the region still has Islamic State members who escaped during liberation of Hawija to remote areas.
In October 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared that Iraqi troops recaptured Hawija, a main town held by Islamic State in the country. Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition and paramilitary troops, have been fighting since October 2016 to retake territories Islamic State occupied in 2014.