Iraqi security forces kill 3 Daesh/ISIS terrorists in Kirkuk

By Ali Makram Ghareeb

KIRKUK, Iraq (AA) – Iraqi security forces killed at least three members of the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group in northern Kirkuk province on Sunday.

Speaking to the press, Nebil Issa, deputy commander of Kirkuk operations, said they received intelligence information that the terrorists were planning to first infiltrate Turkalan village and then Kirkuk’s city center.

He said a clash broke out between security forces and the terrorists near Turkalan during a large-scale operation against Daesh/ISIS and one soldier lost his life and three terrorists were killed.

Issa noted that the terrorists were planning to infiltrate the city center and carry out a bloody act during the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, which falls this week.

He said the operations will continue and strict security measures will be taken inside and outside the city during the holiday.

In 2017, Iraq declared victory over Daesh/ISIS by reclaiming all territories captured by the terrorists since the summer of 2014, estimated to be about a third of the country’s total area.

The terror group, however, still has sleeper cells in Iraq that launch sporadic attacks on civilians, security forces, infrastructure and other targets.

The Iraqi army continues to carry out frequent operations against the group in different parts of the country.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan