SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi military and Peshmerga forces on Monday launched a joint operation against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Qarachogh mountain, southwest of Erbil.
Esta Media Network reporter said the Iraqi and Kurdish forces cleared 300 square kilometers in Qarachogh mountain, 60 kilometers southwest of Erbil, during the operation.
“The operation started in Sargran sub-district in Kirkuk province,” the reporter added. “A number of ISIS hideouts were destroyed and a number of ammunition was seized.”
The joint operation came after ISIS remnants intermittently carry out attacks against the security forces in the disputed areas, claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil.
Kurdish officials have long blamed a lack of coordination along a stretch of territory claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil for ISIS’ continued ability to wage deadly attacks.
Islamic State controlled roughly a third of Iraq between 2014 and 2017. Iraqi forces and Kurdish troops backed by U.S.-led Coalition forces as well as Iran-backed Shia militias defeated the militant group in 2017, but its members still roam areas of northern Iraq and northeastern Syria.
