SULAIMANI (ESTA) — A unit of Kurdish security forces on Saturday launched an operation to pursue a group of Islamic State (ISIS) militants in an area near Khaqain district.
Esta Media Network reporter said three ISIS militants infiltrated Mirkhas area from Jalawla sub-district in Khanaqin.
The militants had threatened civilians and villagers in the area, he added.
“A large number of security and Peshmerga forces have launched an operation on Sirwan river to pursue the militants,” he noted.
The area where civilians had seen the militants is located in southeast of Kurdish areas in Khanaqin, according to the reporter.
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.
*This story was updated at 02:32 p.m. EBL time
