Security

Iraqi Diyala Operations Command visits Peshmerga to coordinate anti-ISIS operations

The Iraqi Diyala Operations Command discussed anti-ISIS operations with the Ministry of Peshmerga's 5th Infantry Brigade.

Diyala's Operations Command on Monday visited Peshmerga forces to coordinate anti-ISIS efforts (Photo: Ministry of Peshmerga).
Diyala's Operations Command on Monday visited Peshmerga forces to coordinate anti-ISIS efforts (Photo: Ministry of Peshmerga).
Kurdistan Makhmour Disputed areas Sirwan Barzani Kirkuk Diyala

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) –  A delegation from the Iraqi army’s Diyala Operations Command on Monday visited the Ministry of Peshmerga’s 5th Infantry Brigade to discuss security coordination.

The Ministry of Peshmerga in a tweet on Monday that both sides discussed security gaps and cooperation between the two sides to eliminate the “dangers of ISIS terrorists in the area.”

Also Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday warned that ISIS’s latest attacks in Iraq pose a “serious threat”.

Read More: Latest ISIS attacks a ‘serious threat’ to Iraq: Nechirvan Barzani

Following the Kurdistan Region's 2017 independence referendum, Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed armed groups of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) pushed the Peshmerga out of the disputed territories.

As a result of this, large security gaps were created that ISIS exploited to carry out attacks near areas such as Makhmour, Diyala and Kirkuk.

In recent months, Kurdish and Iraqi security forces have improved their cooperation to close such gaps, including in Makhmour. 

Read More: Peshmerga and Iraqi forces launch second phase of anti-ISIS operation in Makhmour

Peshmerga Major-General Sirwan Barzani, Commander of Sector 6, said in an earlier tweet that in a joint Iraqi Army and Peshmerga operation they cleared 15 kms of ISIS safe havens in Mount Qarachogh in the Makhmour district south of Erbil on July 20.