IED explodes in Kirkuk, Iraqi forces respond by killing 12 IS militants

An improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in southern Kirkuk province, killing a Kurdish Kakayi resident, security sources revealed on Friday.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – An improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in southern Kirkuk province, killing a Kurdish Kakayi resident, security sources revealed on Friday.

The explosion took place on a road to Zaqar village near Daquq district, according to a security source who spoke with Kurdistan 24.

The source mentioned that in the aftermath of the blast, Iraqi forces were deployed to the site of the explosion and cordoned off the area for investigation.

Remnants of the Islamic State continue to use booby-traps on main roads, targeting security forces in the region.

The explosion comes six days after Iraqi national elections were held across the country, with some 10 million people casting their ballots.

On Friday, Iraqi forces also launched an operation against IS sleeper cells in the Abu Khanajar and Zaghitun areas in Rashad town, located southwest of Kirkuk, which resulted in the death of four jihadists, a security source claimed.

Iraqi air force jets also shelled IS positions in the Maqbara area of Zab town, west of Kirkuk, killing eight militants.

The Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi, announced victory against the group last December after three years of fierce fighting. The jihadist group, however, is maintaining an insurgency through ambushes, bombings, and kidnappings across the country.

Editing by Nadia Riva