SULAIMANI (ESTA) — At least four Islamic State (ISIS) militants were killed in an operation launched by the Iraqi forces against the group in Kirkuk province on Monday night, Iraqi media reported.
Security forces carried out an operation, dubbed ‘Revenge of the martyrs of the federal police’, against the militants in several areas in northwest of Kirkuk, Iraqi media cited security sources as saying.
At least four ISIS militants were killed in the operation, backed by the Iraqi air force and the U.S.-led Coalition forces, the sources added.
A security source told Shafaq News that the Iraqi forces set up “an ambush” for the militants near Kitka village in Altun Kupri district, north of Kirkuk.
On Sunday, thirteen members of the Iraqi federal police were killed in two separate ISIS attacks in southwest of Kirkuk.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi chaired an “emergency meeting” of the national security council late on Sunday to discuss the security situation in Kirkuk.
Kadhimi directed the security forces to launch “qualitative and proactive operation against ISIS militants in Kirkuk.
The Islamic State remnants have increased attacks against civilians and Iraqi forces in the disputed territories, claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad.
In 2017 Baghdad announced victory over the militant group, and attacks in Iraqi cities have since become much rarer, although troops continue to fight ISIS sleeper cells in mountainous and desert areas.
The militants still mount deadly operations, mostly at night and in remote areas.
