SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi forces detained 11 suspects of Islamic State (ISIS) including two “dangerous terrorists” in Kirkuk province, according to Iraq’s authorities.
In a statement, Iraqi security media cell said a unit of the military intelligence agency carried out a preemptive operation in Kirkuk province after receiving information about the presence of ISIS suspects.
It added that two “dangerous terrorists” of the militant group were arrested during the operation.
The security media cell said in a separate statement that nine more ISIS suspects, including a woman, were detained in the province.
“The terrorists have taken up arms and fought within the ranks of ISIS, and set up fictitious checkpoints, and provided logistical support in terms of foodstuff and fuel,” the Iraqi military stated.
Iraqi forces have stepped up operations to arrest ISIS members in the provinces of Kirkuk, Baghdad, Saladin, Diyala, Nineveh and Anbar.
On June 19, the Iraqi intelligence units detained 10 ISIS suspects in Kirkuk province. The suspects acted as sleeper cells, according to the security media cell.
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 02:45 p.m. EBL time
