Increase of ISIS Activities: Surge in Movements and Abductions of Civilians Reported

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Movements and threats of ISIS fighters in Iraq have increased, and are using new tactics in their attacks and kidnapping civilians.

Three civilians were kidnapped in the plains of Anbar province on Saturday morning.

In Anbar, two members of the Iraqi security forces were killed in a bomb blast during an operation to eliminate remnants of ISIS.

Fears of reorganization and strengthening of ISIS have forced Iraqi security forces to resume security operations.

The Security Media Cell- SMC announced on Saturday, the start of the third phase of Waad al-Haq operations, with planning, follow-up and supervision by the Joint Operations Command.

The statement also added that, "This operation was launched with the aim of continuing the pursuit of the defeated terrorist elements.”

According to Iraqi security forces, ISIS fighters are avoiding direct fighting, but relying on surprise, individual attacks and planting IEDs.

Throughout 2023, ISIS carried out more than 175 attacks in different parts of Iraq, most of them in Anbar province, according to a study released by the al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue (RCD) in Baghdad.

ISIS attacks in Iraq in 2023:

Anbar Province: 52 Attacks

Kirkuk Province: 45 Attacks

Diyala Province: 43 attack

Nineveh Province: 37 attacks

In June 2014, ISIS attacked Nineveh and other parts of Iraq and controlled one-third of Iraqi territory. The Iraqi army, with the support of the Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces and the international coalition, took control of Mosul on July 10, 2017 and officially announced the end of ISIS fighters, but its sleeping cells are still active and occasionally attack security forces and civilians.