Iraq launches military operation against Daesh in Kirkuk

Iraqi forces yesterday launched a large military operation against Daesh in the province of Kirkuk, a security source said.

Police Captain Hamed Al-Obeidi told the Anadolu Agency that “the joint forces of the Federal Police and the Popular Mobilization Forces have launched a military operation to secure villages in the Riyadh district of Hawija district, 55 kilometres southwest of the city of Kirkuk.”

He added that “the operation was supported by fighter jets, and was based on intelligence concerning the activities of the organisation’s militants.”

Read: Iraq’s Shia militias formally inducted into security forces

“The joint forces confiscated weapons and ammunition from the militants a few hours after the operation began,” he said.

Over the past weeks, the province of Kirkuk has seen escalating attacks, mostly by armed men linked to Daesh against military and civilian targets.

Baghdad declared victory over Daesh in December; however, the organisation still has sleeper cells across Iraq and has begun using its original style of guerrilla attacks.