ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Ministry of Defense said Thursday that army units have begun reinforcing their deployment along the Rawa-Hatra defensive line to enforce security in areas north of the Euphrates River.
“Units from the al-Jazeera and West Nineveh Operations Commands have begun reinforcing their deployment along the Rawa – Hatra defensive line,” the ministry said, noting the move is “to enforce security and stability in the al-Jazeera areas north of the Euphrates and toward Nineveh and Salahaddin provinces.”
This comes a day after the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS) announced the arrest of a senior Islamic State (ISIS) suspect in Kirkuk province, as part of the service’s ongoing efforts to pursue the remnants of ISIS and track down their members.
ISIS and its remnants have continued to pose a security threat despite their territorial defeat in late 2017. Their primary areas of operations include the disputed territories, particularly Kirkuk, Salahaddin, Diyala, and Nineveh, exploiting a coordination gap between Kurdish and Iraqi security forces.
“This deployment aims to hold desert areas, pursue remaining terrorist elements, and prevent them from using the desert as a safe haven,” the ministry said Thursday adding that the deployment will also secure a shortcut for citizens’ travel and commercial traffic to help support investment, agricultural, and grazing activities.
The region between Rawa and Hatra served as an ISIS stronghold before the group seized Mosul in June 2014. It remained under militant control until a major counteroffensive by Iraqi security forces reclaimed the urban strongholds. Iraqi forces recaptured Rawa in November 2017, liberating the last major town held by the group in the country.
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