SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Kurdistan Region’s counter-terrorism forces along with Peshmerga forces, police and Iraqi military launched a large-scale operation against Islamic State (ISIS) militants on two frontlines in areas between Kifri and Tuz Khurmatu on Thursday, according to the general directorate of counter-terrorism.
In a statement, the Kurdish general directorate of counter-terrorism said the operation covered the areas of Sleman Bag, Tuz Khurmatu, Dawe and villages in the foothill of Ghara mountain.
“The operation aims to eradicate ISIS terrorists in the area and to end their movement because several of their detachments had been seen in the past and they had tried to carry out terrorist acts,” it added.
Earlier, a Peshmerga told Esta Media Network that one member of the Peshmerga forces was wounded by an explosion during an operation they launched against ISIS remnants near Tuz Khurmatu.
Two other improvised explosive devices (IED) were defused during the operation, he said.
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.
On Tuesday, the counter-terrorism forces carried out an operation against the militants in areas in Zinana sub-district.
