SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The Iraqi military has launched an operation to clear areas in Kirkuk province of Islamic State (ISIS) militants, Iraqi media reported on Sunday.
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said its units alongside the Iraqi military and federal police backed by the air force launched an “inspection and security operation” in Wadi al-Kur, national Iraqi news agency NINA reported.
“The operation aims to pursue ISIS remnants and secure the areas from terrorists in the province,” the PMF said in a statement.
ISIS remnants have increased attacks against civilians and security forces in Kirkuk province in the past weeks.
On July 27, the Iraqi military launched a large-scale operation against ISIS remnants in south of Kirkuk, including the areas of Wadi Zighitun and Wadi al-Shai.
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.
