SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi and Peshmerga forces launched a large-scale joint operation against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in east of Tuz Khurmatu early on Sunday, Iraq’s army said.
Iraqi Security Media Cell said in a statement that a unit of counter-terrorism forces and the Peshmerga forces launched a “large-scale joint operation” in east of Tuz Khurmatu at 05:00 a.m. local time.
The operation began after Iraqi F-16 fighter jets carried out five airstrikes against targets in areas of common security interest, the military added.
The Iraqi and Peshmerga forces will inspect and clear the area of ISIS militants, according to the statement.
Kurdistan Region Vice President Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa said the operation was carried out in Palkana, Qorichai and Balaga villages.
“Under direct order of Chief Commander of Armed Forces @IKRPresident, joined operations between Commandos Special Forces & Iraqi CTS, clearing Palkana, Qorichai & Balaga villages from ISIS, very successful ops. Many #Isis vehicles were destroyed,” he said in a tweet.
The Iraqi military and Peshmerga forces have established a joint operation room in Baghdad to exchange intelligence and information and to carry out joint operations against ISIS militants in the province.
Two other joint operation rooms were established in Khanaqin and Makhmour.
Following attacks by Islamic State (ISIS) militants against the Iraqi and Kurdish forces in disputed territories, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered establishing joint operations rooms in those areas to prevent further attacks.
Kurdish officials have warned that ISIS militants are using a “security vacuum” between the Iraqi and Kurdish forces to carry out attacks in the disputed territories.
ISIS militants attacked the Peshmerga forces near Prde town south of Erbil and in Kifri district in Diyala province in May.
Four members of the Peshmerga forces were killed and three others wounded in the attacks, according to Peshmerga officials.
Iraq declared victory over Islamic State in December 2017 but the militants have regrouped in the Hamrin mountain range which extends into the northern provinces – an area described by officials as a “triangle of death”.
*This story was updated at 11:56 a.m. EBL time
