The Iraqi Joint Operations Command announced the killing of three members of the ISIS organization in an airstrike by Iraqi F-16 fighter jets. The strike targeted ISIS hideouts in the Hamrin Mountains, north of Baghdad, one of the key strongholds of the organization.
In a statement, the Joint Operations Command said that early yesterday morning, Iraqi fighter jets carried out an airstrike targeting ISIS hideouts on the border between the Kirkuk and Salah al-Din operation commands. The operation was conducted with high-level coordination between the Counter-Terrorism Service and the Targeting Cell of the Joint Operations Command. The statement added that the forces conducted a search operation at the airstrike site and found three bodies of “dead terrorist elements.” They also seized light weapons, ammunition, two explosive belts, communication devices, and various logistical materials.
Meanwhile, a former Iraqi official revealed that Baghdad is close to signing a final agreement with Washington regarding the U.S. military presence in Iraq. Security forces continue their strikes against ISIS amid concerns about the increasing activity of the organization in various parts of the country.
The current security situation in Iraq remains complex, particularly with the ongoing presence of ISIS. Despite being territorially defeated in 2017, ISIS continues to execute sporadic attacks across Iraq, exploiting security gaps particularly in disputed areas between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. The regions most affected include Diyala, Salahuddin, Nineveh, and Kirkuk provinces.
ISIS’s operations have largely transitioned to guerrilla warfare tactics, employing surprise attacks and using tunnels and hideouts to evade counterterrorism efforts. Although the group’s operational capacity has been contained to an extent, it retains the capability to carry out attacks against both military and civilian targets. In 2024, ISIS’s presence is still significant, with estimates suggesting around 1,000 fighters at large within Iraq. The U.S. continues to maintain a military presence in the region, recognizing that ISIS remains a threat, albeit diminished.
