ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdish Asayish security forces have arrested Islamic State (ISIS) members who were planning to enter the Kurdistan Region’s capital Erbil disguised as refugees. Tariq Nuri, Asayish’s general-director of Erbil Security, told Rudaw that a number of former ISIS militants surrendered to Peshmerga forces as refugees in the Makhmour frontline after the recent operation in Qayara. He said the security had obtained information about the recruits who were now arrested and put under investigation. “Because this subject is sensitive we won’t reveal the number of ISIS members detained, but we assure the public that our forces have the upper-hand," Nuri said. He also added that the security restrictions imposed over the past days in the public places in Erbil were temporary and "for the safety of citizens and stability of Kurdistan Region" which would be removed soon, he explained. Nuri denied reports that two ISIS groups had been arrested inside the city of Erbil itself. Security measures were tightened over the past week in Erbil's crowded bazaars and public places with concrete blocks set up and cars prevented from driving in through the crowded areas as part of the precautions. Since last year ISIS has leveled bloody attacks against several cities including Paris, Brussels, Nice and Istanbul with hundreds of civilian casualties.
