SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Kurdish security forces detained four “terrorists” in Sulaimani province, Iraq’s defense ministry said on Monday.
In a statement, the defense ministry said units from intelligence and security directorate in coordination of the Asayish forces in Sulaimani arrested the four wanted in accordance with article 4 of counter-terrorism law.
“The efforts of the heroes at the general directorate of intelligence and security will continue to pursue the wanted persons wherever they are found and bring them to justice,” it added.
The ministry didn’t give details about the place where they were detained in Sulaimani province.
The security forces have detained dozens of Islamic State (ISIS) members including leaders in the Kurdistan Region in the past months.
In December, Asayish forces arrested an ISIS leader and 25 members in Halabja province.
In September, the Kurdish forces detained a group of seven ISIS militants in Erbil, planning to carry out “terrorist acts” in the city.
In July, the security forces also detained a group of ISIS militants including five suspects who planned to attack the Erbil governorate’s building and places where foreign nationals stay.
The federal government announced victory over ISIS by the end of 2017 after Iraqi and Kurdish forces backed by U.S.-led Coalition regained control of areas once captured by the militant group.
Despite its defeat, ISIS still poses a threat to the security and stability of the country as there are still sleeper cells in Iraq.
