The operation is taking place in Garmiyan as well as the districts of Khanaqin and Tuz Khurmatu, territories that are claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad.
“We began from the fronts of Qorichai and Palkana and are heading towards Ghara. The other brigades are continuing their part of the operation on their respective fronts,” Colonel Hakim Sati, commander of the Peshmerga’s 17th brigade, told Rudaw.
ISIS seized control of swathes of land in 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, especially in the disputed areas where there is a security vacuum in the gaps between federal and regional forces.
To secure the disputed territories that stretch across several provinces including Kirkuk, Salahaddin, and Diyala, the Iraqi army and Peshmerga formed joint brigades. Their progress was stalled because of political turmoil after the last election and lack of a budget. The 2023 budget bill includes funds for the joint brigades.
According to Sati, the purpose of Saturday’s campaign is to tighten security and prevent ISIS from moving around unimpeded.
“The objectives of this operation are the following: first, to cleanse the area and drive out ISIS. Second, to restore law and order to the area,” he said.
His brigade found several ISIS fighters and ammunition.
Last year, Iraqi forces killed over 200 ISIS fighters, according to figures from the army.
