US, Iraqi forces preparing for possible violence ahead of May elections

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has vowed to crack down on the extremist group’s remaining sleeper cells in the country.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – American military advisers in Iraq are working closely with Iraqi security forces and local police to prevent any attacks by the Islamic State (IS) or other groups during the upcoming elections in the country, a US official said on Tuesday.

During a Pentagon press briefing, Marine Brig. Gen. James F. Glynn, who heads special operations in Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve, said efforts are being made “to ensure the [security] conditions are set” for the May elections.

Iraq is set to hold its first national elections since the military defeat of IS, and senior US advisors and officials from the Iraqi security forces have begun addressing “things that need to be done now” to guarantee the safety of the hundreds of thousands who will head to polls.

“There are still remnants of IS who reside in a cellular structure who seek to bring instability to local areas, in particular, population centers,” the US official told reporters via teleconference from Baghdad.

However, Gen. Glynn did not provide details about the specific measures that would be taken in the coming weeks to prevent terror attacks at polling centers or government institutions.

His comments come a day after the Iraqi capital witnessed one of the deadliest twin bombings since Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared “final victory” against IS in the country last December.

IS eventually claimed responsibility for the attack which left at least 27 people dead and over 90 others injured.

In response, Abadi vowed to crack down on the extremist group’s remaining sleeper cells in the country by issuing decrees and orders that “are aimed at cutting off the dormant cells belonging to IS.”