On Monday, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service detained four militants with ties to the notorious ISIS terror group.
Prominently, among those arrested was an individual identified by initials D.M.M., previously serving as a senior bomb-making expert for ISIS in its northern sector, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
A press release from Iraq’s Security media office pointed out the strategic importance of this operation, stating: “In a series of targeted raids, our unit successfully captured an extremist in the city of Kirkuk and two additional suspects in the Bazian and Jamjamal areas of Sulaymaniyah.”
Recalling the nation’s history with the extremist group, Iraq had triumphantly announced the total liberation from ISIS back in December 2017, after a grueling four-year campaign. During its peak, the terror organization had ensnared roughly one-third of Iraqi territories under its control.
While the major threat of ISIS has been neutralized, Iraq remains on high alert. Its security apparatus continues operations to stamp out lingering cells, especially in strategic locations like Mosul, Kirkuk, Diyala, Salahuddin, Anbar, and the suburbs of Baghdad.
Over its tumultuous reign, ISIS dominated expansive tracts of land across both Iraq and Syria. Yet, the resolve of the Iraqi government has been unyielding. They have consistently emphasized their commitment to eradicating extremist elements and consolidating arms and weaponry under state control.
