SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi intelligence units detained 10 suspects of Islamic State (ISIS) militant group in Kirkuk province, the military said on Saturday.
Iraqi security Media Cell said in a statement that intelligence units had arrested 10 wanted “terrorists … for their affiliation with ISIS terrorist group”.
The suspects acted as sleeper cells in Kirkuk province, the security media cell added.
“Some of them worked as fighters and support elements in the so-called Kirkuk sector,” it stated.
Iraqi forces have stepped up operations to arrest ISIS members in the provinces of Kirkuk, Baghdad, Saladin, Diyala, Nineveh and Anbar.
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.
