Series of ISIS attacks leave 5 Iraqi security force members dead south of Kirkuk

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Islamic State militants launched a series of attacks on Friday night that killed five security force members in the disputed province of Kirkuk.

Three of the soldiers were killed in the first incident, which took place in the local Wadi Al-Shay region of Daquq district, an area known to have rugged terrain which has witnessed frequent recent search operations to discover and destroy Islamic State hideouts in the area.

The extremist group’s militants have previously carried out a number of attacks, assassinations, and kidnappings against members of Iraqi forces from that area.

Two policemen were then killed and two others wounded when the Islamic State launched an attack on Iraqi forces in Daquq city.

Territories disputed by Baghdad and the autonomous Kurdistan Region have witnessed regular and escalating violence carried out by the terrorist organization in areas like Tuz, Khurmatu, Jalawla, and Khanaqin, among others.

Furthermore, three Iraqi soldiers were wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded during a patrol in an area south of Mosul, according to a security source.

The source told Kurdistan 24 that one officer, "was seriously injured," noting that the attack was carried out by "ISIS terrorist remnants," but gave no further details.

Although Iraq had declared a "final victory" against the terrorist Islamic State in December 2017, the organization's fighters continue to carry out regular attacks. They include bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings in previously liberated areas, particularly in remote villages and regions, where security forces have difficulty monitoring the movements of the group's activity.

Officials from Kurdistan have long called for a joint security plan between Peshmerga and Iraqi forces to fill the multiple security gaps in areas disputed by Baghdad and Erbil.

Editing by John J. Catherine