ISIS attacks increase due to ‘well-entrenched’ insurgency: Pentagon

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Islamic State (ISIS) attacks in Iraq and Syria increased between April and July as they continue to operate a “low-level” but “well-entrenched” insurgency in rural areas, the Pentagon said in its latest quarterly report.

“ISIS-claimed attacks increased compared to previous quarters, with a notable rise during Ramadan,” said the report released on Tuesday, covering events from April 1 to June 30.

ISIS tactics “to conduct hit-and-run and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks; exploit sectarian, political and security gaps; and target vulnerable residents of displaced persons camps for recruitment” remained unchanged, however, “the lethality of ISIS attacks declined, possibly because of constrained resources and inexperienced members.”

The militant group “probably has tens of millions of dollars in cash reserves dispersed across Iraq, Syria, and Turkey,” according to the Department of Treasury.

The group collects money through “extortion of oil smuggling networks in eastern Syria, collecting kidnapping ransoms, looting, and possibly the operation of front companies in both Iraq and Syria.”

The treasury department added that ISIS members in Iraq transferred money to militants in northeast Syria (Rojava), including to al-Hol and other displacement camps. “Treasury said that ISIS often relied on facilitators in Turkey and in other financial centers, as well as on virtual currencies and online fundraising platforms.”

ISIS seized control of swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014. It was declared territorially defeated in 2019. However, it remains a threat on both sides of the border. The two sides are increasing their collaboration in order to deny ISIS space to operate.

The report also addressed Iran-backed militia attacks on US interests in Iraq, indicating that “the increase in attacks on US forces by Iran-aligned militias continued to affect the OIR [Operation Inherent Resolve] mission and US diplomatic activity in Iraq” and continued to “threaten” coalition progress during the quarter.

“There have been nine indirect fire attacks on facilities housing US personnel and 28 IED strikes against Coalition logistical convoys in Iraq” from April to the end of June, according to the report. The US Central Command reported that “there were at least five UAV attacks against US facilities in Iraq.”

Iraqi, Peshmerga and Kurdish forces in Syria often launch operations to fight ISIS cells on both sides of the border.

In late July, Iraqi security forces launched an operation in Kirkuk aiming to clear out remnants that are active in the south of the province.

Three people were killed and seven injured in an attack on a funeral in Salahaddin province last week.

In July, the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) said five ISIS suspects were arrested in Erbil who were allegedly planning to carry out terrorist attacks in the city before Eid al-Adha. ISIS claimed responsibility for a deadly Baghdad suicide bombing the day before the holiday began.