SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraq’s forces destroyed 14 hideouts of Islamic State (ISIS) militants during an operation launched against the militants in south of Kirkuk, the Iraqi military said in a statement.
Units of the Iraqi army, federal police and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) conducted a military operation against ISIS militants in areas in south of Kirkuk on Thursday, following an increase in ISIS attacks against the security forces in the province.
Iraqi Security Media Cell said the security forces destroyed seven explosive devices, 10 hideouts, a tunnel and a boat within the section of the Joint Operations Command in Kirkuk.
In Wadi al-Shay, the Iraqi forces destroyed four hideouts and found three stores of M4 rifles, three mobiles and six explosive devices, the military added.
The federal government announced victory over Islamic State 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.
