Third ISIS Attack in Week Reported in Hawija Area

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - ISIS militants attacked an Iraqi Army position in Hawija early Saturday before running into an ambush set by security forces as they withdrew, triggering a fierce clash in which fatalities were reported among the militants.

Kurdistan24 correspondent Hemin Delo reported that the attack took place on Oct. 10 in the village of Burghliya, located in the Dananish area of Hawija district.

According to information obtained by Kurdistan24, ISIS fighters opened fire on an Iraqi Army military position before attempting to retreat from the area.

Iraqi security forces had prepared an ambush along the militants' withdrawal route, leading to a direct confrontation between the two sides.

The ISIS fighters later managed to flee, but fatalities were reported among their ranks.

No figure was provided for the number of militants killed, and the supplied information did not report casualties among the Iraqi Army in Saturday's attack.

Delo said the incident was the third armed attack in the same area during the past week.

The earlier attacks targeted Federal Police forces and resulted in casualties, while ISIS militants also destroyed a thermal surveillance camera used by security forces.

The recent incidents have raised concern over the ability of ISIS sleeper cells to continue operating in areas where difficult terrain and gaps between security deployments provide opportunities for concealment and surprise attacks.

According to Kurdistan24's correspondent, the latest attacks have occurred following the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the area.

The report assessed that the withdrawal has had a negative effect on security conditions in areas already vulnerable to security gaps.

That assessment reflects information from Kurdistan24's reporting on the ground. The supplied material does not provide further official Iraqi statements evaluating the direct impact of the U.S. withdrawal on the Hawija attacks.

ISIS militants have continued to exploit mountainous and agricultural terrain in such areas, according to the report, using it to hide, move between locations and launch attacks against security forces.

The pattern makes surveillance and clearing operations particularly difficult, especially in areas where militants can use natural cover before dispersing after an attack.

Iraqi security forces continue to conduct military operations and sweeps aimed at locating ISIS cells and limiting their ability to move through these areas.

Saturday's ambush demonstrated that security forces are also attempting to anticipate militant movements and target fighters as they retreat after attacks.

Despite those operations, however, the continued series of armed incidents in Hawija indicates that ISIS sleeper cells remain capable of carrying out attacks against military and police units.

The repeated incidents over the past week have placed renewed attention on the security gaps surrounding Hawija and the challenge of monitoring terrain that can provide cover for small militant groups.

For local residents and security personnel, the threat remains centered less on large territorial offensives and more on surprise attacks by dispersed cells.

The latest confrontation in Burghliya adds to that pattern, with ISIS militants striking an Iraqi Army position before encountering security forces waiting along their escape route.

Kurdistan24 correspondent Hemin Delo contributed to this report.