Iraqi forces detain ISIS leader in Kirkuk airdrop operation: statement
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq’s elite counter-terror forces detained an alleged Islamic State (ISIS) leader in Kirkuk on Saturday morning.
Counter-terrorism forces (CTS) arrested a “famous leader” of ISIS “in an airdrop operation” southwest of Kirkuk at dawn on Saturday, the force announced on Twitter.
The Global Coalition against ISIS supported the operation, spokesperson Col. Wayne Marotto tweeted.
The detained man was identified by the initials “R.J.” by Yehia Rasool, military spokesperson for the prime minister.
Southwestern Kirkuk province borders the Hamrin mountain range that was one of the last strongholds of ISIS in Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2017. The region and its rugged terrain remains a hotbed of ISIS activity. Last week militants attacked an Iraqi police post in Hawija district, killing four policemen and wounding three others.
Counter-terrorism forces (CTS) arrested a “famous leader” of ISIS “in an airdrop operation” southwest of Kirkuk at dawn on Saturday, the force announced on Twitter.
The Global Coalition against ISIS supported the operation, spokesperson Col. Wayne Marotto tweeted.
The detained man was identified by the initials “R.J.” by Yehia Rasool, military spokesperson for the prime minister.
Southwestern Kirkuk province borders the Hamrin mountain range that was one of the last strongholds of ISIS in Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2017. The region and its rugged terrain remains a hotbed of ISIS activity. Last week militants attacked an Iraqi police post in Hawija district, killing four policemen and wounding three others.