The attackers took advantage of a “security gap” between Daquq and Bashir, south of Kirkuk, the Kurdistan Security Council said in a statement issued on Sunday.
A total of nine militants were arrested by the authorities, the statement said, adding that the militants’ plan was to “decrease pressure on Mosul” where Kurdish and Iraqi forces launched a major offensive on Monday to recapture the city from ISIS.
“The investigation with these individuals is now ongoing and the initial results show that the mastermind and the supervisor for this terrorist attack is an individual called Mazn Nazhan Ahmad Abdullah al-Eubedi al-Rayashi, known as Abu Islam al-Ansarai. He was arrested by civilians while wounded in Yaki Huzeran quarter and then was handed over to security forces in Kirkuk.”
ISIS was “able to take advantage of a security gap between Bashir and Daquq, and were able to bring their militants in their dozens to Tariq Factory, south of Kirkuk. And then the terrorists who numbered more than one hundred were transported to Kirkuk in four Kia trucks, and a dump truck. They were spread out to those locations which were targeted in the terrorist attack.”
The statement said the Peshmerga, police and Asayesh (security) forces, supported by the people, were able to foil an ISIS plan to “hide themselves for a long time in some Kirkuk quarters and with this create chaos to supposedly decrease the pressure on Mosul.”
“Most of the terrorists” were killed in counter attacks by police, Asayesh and volunteers.
A number of the militants were arrested in a special operation by the Kirkuk Asayesh, and Erbil Asayesh in Kirkuk, the statement detailed.
The statement also identified the other eight militants arrested.
Akram Taha Aidan Dlemi, known as Abu Mustafa, is alleged to have been the emir for ISIS security in the Kirkuki Unit; he is accused of participating in the terrorist attack.
Abdulrahman Fazil Abdulrahman Al-Ezazi, known as Abu Mohamad, is alleged to have been the administrative and financial manager for ISIS inside Kirkuk. He is accused of participating in the terrorist attack.
Abdulaziz Mahmud Aidan Dlemi, known az Ezawi, is accused of participating in the terrorist attack and was allegedly responsible for collecting intelligence on the targets before the attack.
Abdulrahim Ahmad Abdullah Yasin, known as Abu Ali, is alleged to have assisted the terrorists with administration work before their arrival in Kirkuk, and then participated in the terrorist attack.
Lays Falah Na’ma Ahmad Jaburi, known as Abu Ghasan, is accused of participating in the terrorist attack and being a member of the suicide squad.
Abdulrahman Fazil Abas Mohamad Eubaidi, known as Abu Yahya, is accused of being responsible for transporting the suicide attackers to the town of Dubis, home to the power station ISIS attacked, killing 10 employees.
Ali Hussein Hamad Ibrahim Jabouri, known as Abu Mohamad, is accused of sheltering terrorists and providing transportation.
Muhanad Ibrahim Ali Dlemi, known as Abu Lays, is alleged to have participated in the terrorist attack and been responsible for some transportation of the militants.
