Security Media Cell Denies Terrorist Releases From Erbil, Duhok
Iraq's Security Media Cell has rejected reports that terrorism suspects were released from prisons in Erbil and Duhok and transferred to Kirkuk, saying no evidence supports the claims.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iraq's Security Media Cell on Monday rejected reports claiming that large numbers of people accused of terrorism had been released from prisons in Erbil and Duhok and transferred to Kirkuk, saying there is no official information or evidence supporting the allegations.
The Security Media Cell, which operates under the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, said it had followed statements circulating through some media outlets and social media platforms.
According to the clarification, the claims had been attributed to a political figure and alleged that a large number of terrorism suspects or convicts had been released from detention facilities in Erbil and Duhok before being sent to Kirkuk province.
The Security Media Cell said the reports do not correspond with any statement or official position issued by the relevant Iraqi security institutions.
It added that no evidence had been established so far to substantiate the allegations.
The clarification stressed that Iraqi security and intelligence agencies continuously monitor terrorist threats as well as the movements of wanted individuals.
It said information related to security matters is gathered through official channels and subjected to review and verification before being published or used by the authorities.
The Security Media Cell also emphasized that the country's security forces remain on alert and continue carrying out operations aimed at pursuing the remnants of terrorist organizations.
It said forces across different formations remain responsible for preventing activities that could endanger citizens or threaten public security.
According to the statement, the security apparatus continues to operate at a high level of readiness and vigilance.
The clarification also addressed the wider circulation of unverified security claims.
Citizens were urged not to rely on false or unsupported reports and to obtain information concerning terrorism, wanted individuals and security developments from official statements.
The Security Media Cell similarly called on news organizations and social media platforms to exercise caution when publishing information connected to national security.
It said inaccurate reporting on such matters could mislead the public, create unnecessary concern and disrupt social stability.
The statement did not identify the political figure to whom the original allegations had been attributed.
It also did not specify which media organizations or social media accounts had circulated the claims.
Instead, the Security Media Cell focused its response on what it described as the absence of evidence and the lack of any corresponding position from Iraqi security agencies.
The clarification therefore amounts to an official denial of reports suggesting that terrorism-related detainees had been released in the Kurdistan Region and moved to Kirkuk.
Security agencies said they would continue monitoring threats and wanted individuals through established intelligence and security channels.
For the public and the media, the Cell's message was that claims involving sensitive security matters should not be treated as established fact unless they are supported by verified information from the authorities responsible for the issue.
The statement comes as Iraqi security forces continue operations against remnants of terrorist organizations in different parts of the country.
The Security Media Cell said those efforts remain ongoing and that security institutions would continue working to prevent any activity threatening citizens or public stability.