Iraqi forces launch anti-ISIS operation in Diyala following deadly attack

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi security forces on Wednesday launched an operation in northeastern Diyala province to clear out remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS) following a recent attack by the group that left more than a dozen of the area’s residents dead and several others injured.

The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) conducted a large security operation on five fronts in the Hamrin mountain range, PMF commander for Diyala operations Talib al-Moussawi told state media.

ISIS seized control of swathes of Iraq in 2014. The group was declared territorially defeated in 2017 but it continues to carry out bombings, hit-and-run attacks, and abductions across several provinces. ISIS remnants are particularly active in parts of northern Iraq that are disputed by Erbil and Baghdad.

The terror group attacked Diyala’s Miqdadiyah last week, killing 15 people and injuring 17 others. The bloody incident was followed by another offensive on Kurdish forces in Kirkuk where militants killed two Peshmerga. ISIS claimed responsibility for both attacks.

A woman suspected of providing the militant group with details about security services and forces in Salahaddin was arrested on Wednesday, the Security Media Cell said.

Diyala, Kirkuk, and Salahaddin are among the territories disputed by the Iraqi and Kurdish governments. Security forces frequently carry out operations against ISIS in these areas, but there is a lack of coordination between Iraqi and Kurdish forces that is blamed for leaving the troops vulnerable to attack.

In July, the Peshmerga ministry said they were working with their Iraqi counterparts on the formation of two joint brigades to counter ISIS remnants in these disputed areas. Last month, the deputy Peshmerga minister said the brigade will be formed after Iraq’s October 10 election.

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