In a violent encounter near Baghdad, four Iraqi soldiers were killed and three others injured during a shootout with ISIS militants in the village of Al-Kubba, located in the Rashad district southwest of Kirkuk, Iraqi security sources reported on Wednesday.
The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by ISIS in the region, despite significant military efforts to eradicate the group.
Security officials stated that Iraqi army forces engaged in a firefight with the militants, resulting in casualties on both sides.
Kirkuk has been a focal point of conflict and violence, with various groups vying for control over the oil-rich area.
The presence of ISIS has continued to destabilize the security situation, leading to frequent clashes with Iraqi forces.
This recent attack adds to the challenges faced by the Iraqi government in securing and stabilizing areas prone to ISIS activity.
The international community remains watchful, as the threat of resurgence by such groups poses a continuous risk to the region’s stability and security.
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been a significant force of instability in Iraq since its rise in 2014.
Despite losing territorial control, ISIS cells continue to operate in several regions, including Kirkuk, conducting guerrilla warfare and ambushes against security forces.
The Iraqi military, supported by international coalitions, has been actively involved in counterterrorism operations to diminish the group’s presence and impact.
Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, affirmed his country’s commitment to remaining within the framework of the international coalition to counter the expansion of ISIS in Africa and Asia.
He highlighted the challenges facing the region, particularly the war in Lebanon, which has led to social disasters and created a humanitarian crisis resulting from the displacement of about a million Lebanese to other cities within the country, and tens of thousands attempting to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
