ERBIl, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS) said Sunday that they have killed two militants associated with the Islamic State (ISIS) north of the disputed Kirkuk province after an armed engagement. The ICTS said it killed two “terrorists” wearing explosive vests in Kirkuk’s Pirde town (Altun Kupri) on Sunday. ICTS said it would publish further details later. A source from the force told Rudaw that roads leading to and out of the district have been closed until further notice. Rudaw’s Hardi Mohammed reported the death of a civilian, a corner shop employee due to the firefight. Despite suffering territorial defeat in late 2017, ISIS has maintained sleeper cells that have engaged in launch hit-and-run attacks and kidnapped civilians for ransom money. It is primarily active in the disputed territories between the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq. In mid-September, the Iraqi Media Security Cell announced the arrest of one of the “most wanted terrorist individuals” known by the nom de guerre Abu Sahir in Kirkuk. Earlier in the month, airstrikes by the Iraqi airforce killed another two ISIS members south of the province. Baghdad and Erbil have expanded their security cooperation to track down ISIS suspects hiding in the Kurdistan Region. On September 13, the Region’s security forces (Asayish) announced the arrest of 22 ISIS suspects in Sulaimani and Halabja provinces. This is a developing story.
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)