SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Kurdish security forces detained five Islamic State (ISIS) suspects in Sulaimani province, an Iraqi official said on Monday.
Yehia Rasool, spokesman for commander-in-chief of the armed forces, said the Iraqi counter-terrorism service coordinated with Asayish forces in Sulaimani to detain five “terrorists, including four leaders”.
“The coming days will witness larger and more intense operations against the remnants of ISIS gangs,” Rasool added.
The Iraqi and Kurdish forces have carried out many operations against ISIS members in the country.
On July 29, the Kurdistan Region’s protection and information/information agency said its forces had detained eight ISIS suspects in Sulaimani and Chamchamal on July 13, 23 and 25.
The Region’s Asayish agency also said on July 28 that the security forces had arrested two ISIS leaders and three members during “big operations” in Sulaimani and Halabja provinces.
The agency said the group had planned to carry out “terrorist acts” in Sulaimani and Halabja 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.
