Twelve Islamic State members arrested during operations in Kirkuk
Representational photo.
“Security forces of the Counter-Terrorism Service in Kirkuk managed to arrest twelve IS members hiding in the city,” the source told Alghad Press.
“The inspection came simultaneously with the combing operations, carried out in south and west of Kirkuk as well as east of Salahuddin,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added.
Iraqi troops, backed by the pro-government al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) continue for the fourth consecutive day operations to impose control on liberated regions in Hawija and areas in its vicinity.
Thousands of IS militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition, was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group.
Since then, forces took back the group’s former capital, Mosul, the town of Tal Afar, Kirkuk’s Hawija, and each of Annah, Rawa and Qaim in Anbar.
The war against IS has displaced nearly five million people, with tens of thousands of civilians and militants killed since the launch of the offensives to recapture occupied cities.
In December, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.