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by Ranja Jamal
MOUNT QARACHOGH, Kurdistan Region — Nearly a year after Iraq’s declaration of the defeat of ISIS, the western face of Qarachogh Mountain that overlooks Qaraj Plains is just one example where the extremists remain holed up.
“This is 100 percent true. Daesh has a presence. It is very active in the area, especially in areas populated by Arabs,” said one villager from the Qaraj Plains who preferred to remain anonymous out of fear.
In the area’s villages ISIS is sleeping comfortably and they are on guard at all times.
“They get assistance, food from there, or they are their family members. People see them in the villages at night. My evidence is they stop by some houses, asking for food, and assistance,” added the villager.
Peshmerga have been stationed on the mountain since pulling out of Makhmour itself in the wake of the October 16 events, when Kurdish forces withdrew from the disputed or Kurdistani areas claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil.
ISIS remains active along the demarcation lines between the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi forces creating a de facto void.
“There is a lot of movement by Daesh in Qaraj, Hilwat and all the way to western Kirkuk, Hawija, Shirqat, Qayyarah, and all the way to the back of Mosul. There are some Federal Police positions there. Daesh can freely move around the right and left side of the road,” said Maj. Gen. Ziryan Sheikh Wasany, Peshmerga deputy commander of the Makhmour Front.
Mount Qarachogh lies near the town of Makhmour, around 60 kilometers southwest of Erbil.
Qarachogh Mountain, the Qaraj Plains, and the Zab area to the north of Hawija are areas connecting Erbil, Nineveh, Kirkuk and Saladin provinces.
The coalition has conducted dozens of air strikes — in coordination with the Iraqi Security Forces and/or Peshmerga — against ISIS remnants in the areas this year, but locals still do not feel safe.
Baghdad declared ISIS defeated in Iraq on December 9, 2017.
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