SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi security forces launched an operation to inspect and clean the mountain range near Lake Hamrin in Diyala province on Sunday, according to the military.
Iraqi Security Media Cell said the security forces conducted the operation at 06:00 a.m. on Sunday to clean the mountain range and areas in north of Saadia in Diyala province from Islamic State (ISIS) militants.
Units from the Iraqi military, federal police, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) participated in the operation.
Iraqi soldiers “are inspecting the mountain range west of Lake Hamrin,” the military said in a statement.
Members of the PMF, also known as Hashid al-Shaabi, would also inspect areas in north Saadia and east of the lake, it added.
“The operation will be carried out in several phases and continues until the completion of an inspection plan aimed at pursuing the remnants of ISIS terrorist gangs and to create a safe environment for the return of [displaced] people,” the military stated.
Iraq declared victory over Islamic State in December 2017 but the militants have regrouped in the Hamrin mountain range which extends into the northern provinces – an area described by officials as a “triangle of death”.
