Four shepherds kidnapped by ISIS in Tuz Khurmatu

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Four shepherds were kidnapped in the disputed area of Tuz Khurmatu. While two of them were released, another two are still missing, a confidential source told Kurdistan24 on Tuesday.

A security source from Tuz Khurmatu that ISIS movements have increased in the area. The group of shepherds were attacked by ISIS fighters in the Zarga area between Salahuddin and Tuz Khurmatu.

Read More: ISIS releases kidnapped Kurdish shepherd after $30k ransom is paid

ISIS freed the two shepherds, but until now, the other two shepherds are still imprisoned and taken to an "unknown place."

The security source also said that the movement of ISIS fighters has been increasing for some time in the area between Salahuddin province and Khurmatu, especially in the area where there was a security vacuum.

Read More: ISIS kidnapped three shepherds in Diyala governorate

The lack of security cooperation between Kurdish and Iraqi forces in the disputed territories following the events of October 2017 has led to increased attacks by the terror group and the kidnapping of shepherds in disputed areas like Kirkuk, Makhmour, and Diyala.

ISIS recently made international headlines when on Thursday, it officially took responsibility for Wednesday’s attack in Kerman, Iran that killed at least 84 people and wounded another 284. 

The attack took place in a ceremony honoring Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in 2020 in Baghdad.

ISIS in the New Year has also stepped up attacks on Syrian Government forces and killed dozens of soldiers in the Badiya Desert area in Syria.

Additional reporting by Harem Jaff. 

Editing by Dastan Muwaffaq