U.S. embassy condemns Islamic State attack on paramilitary troops in Kirkuk
A group of Islamic State militants hold a parade wearing their custom black uniforms
Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) – The U.S. Embassy in Iraq has strongly condemned the killing of Popular Mobilization Forces personnel in an ambush carried out by the Islamic State (IS) group in Kirkuk Sunday.
In a Tuesday statement, a copy of which was obtained by Alqurtas News, the embassy stressed that the U.S. and the international coalition “will continue to partner with the Iraqi Security Forces, advising, training, and equipping them to eliminate terrorism as a threat to Iraq.”
The statement warned that although the military campaign against IS has ended, remnants of the terrorist group still “have the capacity and resources to organize attacks that seek to return instability to liberated areas and sow fear among local populations.”
The statement quoted Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as stressing that the fight against IS “in Iraq is not over.” At the end of its statement, the embassy extended sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the attack.
On Monday, the Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for killing 20 personnel of the Popular Mobilization Forces and burning five vehicles in an ambush in southwestern Kirkuk.
News reports said on Sunday evening that security troops lost communication with 24 paramilitary personnel in addition to losing track of eight vehicles in Hawija. Other reports indicated confrontations between PMFs and Islamic State members in southwest of the province.