SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi forces launched an operation against Islamic State (ISIS) militants from ten directions in western Iraq early on Monday.
Iraqi Security Media Cell said in a statement that units Al-Jazeera Operations Command, West Nineveh and Saladin backed by air forces launched the second phase of Operation Jazeera Lions against ISIS militants at dawn on Monday.
“This operation is to check and search for remains of ISIS terrorist gangs,” the Iraqi military added.
The Iraqi security forces intermittently conduct operations against ISIS remains in Baghdad, Kirkuk, Saladin, Nineveh and Anbar provinces.
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.