An Iraqi security source reported the death of the ISIS governor of Diyala, known as “Abu Layla al-Iraqi,” who was a physician specializing in treating wounded members of the terrorist organization. He was killed during an airstrike in the Hamrin Mountains in northeastern Iraq. In a separate incident in the Al-Karma district of Anbar province, an armed attack by unidentified assailants resulted in one casualty as an initial toll.
Additionally, a local source in Maysan reported that three people were killed or injured in a severe tribal conflict in the Maimouna district west of the province. The clash involved medium weapons between the Bu Dorraj and Buzon tribes. The source noted that security forces are struggling to control the dispute and are awaiting military reinforcements from the provincial center to intervene and resolve the conflict.
The recent developments concerning ISIS in Iraq highlight the ongoing challenges in fully eradicating the group’s presence and influence. Despite significant military defeats, ISIS continues to pose a security threat in Iraq, exploiting political instability and social unrest to maintain insurgent activities. The group’s ability to conduct hit-and-run attacks and to exploit sectarian divides remains a critical concern for Iraqi security forces and their international partners.
In late 2022, ISIS was still active enough to carry out significant attacks, such as a bomb near Kirkuk that killed nine federal police officers. The United States has maintained a military presence in Iraq, tasked with advising and assisting Iraqi security forces to counter these remnants of ISIS. This continued presence is in response to the Iraqi government’s request for help to combat the persistent threat posed by ISIS, indicating the group’s enduring capacity to regenerate and pose security challenges.
Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State group in December 2017, marking an end to the three-year brutal campaign that saw large swathes of territory falling under ISIS control. This declaration was made after Iraqi forces regained control of the border with Syria, effectively ousting ISIS militants from their last urban stronghold in Iraq. The victory was celebrated as a significant triumph against the terrorist group, which at its peak had threatened the very existence of the Iraqi state. However, despite the formal declaration, ISIS remnants continue to operate through insurgent-style attacks in various parts of Iraq, highlighting the ongoing security challenges and the need for continued vigilance and security efforts.
