By Anas al-Bar | 2025-04-01

Iraqi forces are continuing an aggressive campaign against "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) leaders and rank-and-file operatives as they work to ensure the group cannot regain a foothold in the country.

ISIS suffered a decisive military defeat in Iraq in 2017 at the hands of Iraqi forces and the international coalition -- a victory maintained through coordinated operations against the group's remnants.

But sustained operations remain crucial to prevent sleeper cells in desert and isolated areas from regaining the ability to regroup, especially in light of the instability across the border in Syria following the fall of the regime.

Since early March, Iraqi security forces have arrested 10 ISIS operatives in Anbar, Kirkuk and Ninawa provinces and transferred them to judicial custody.

And on March 25, Iraqi forces conducted a series of intelligence-led ambushes and raids, killing eight ISIS operatives, according to media reports.

US forces have supported multiple raids against ISIS leaders and remnants, notably the March 13 airstrike that killed the group's top deputy Abdallah Makki Musleh al-Rifai (aka Abu Khadijah).

"The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism," Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani wrote on X following the raid.

"ISIS has exhausted all its strength and capabilities following the elimination of its ground operatives and dismantling of its networks," security analyst Safaa al-Aasam told Al-Fassel.

"Its senior leaders and lower-ranking elements have fallen one after another," he said, highlighting security forces' ongoing success in pursuing and arresting sleeper cell members.

This demonstrates ISIS cannot match the security and intelligence efforts to hunt down its cells and eliminate its members, he said, "regardless of their attempts to hide in mountainous and remote areas."

Dwindling strength

"The recent campaigns against the group have undermined its effectiveness and reduced its influence, field operations and logistical capabilities," bolstered by critical support from local residents, al-Aasam said.

He noted that ISIS numbers in Iraq "has dwindled to a few hundred, with no foreign fighters remaining as before."

"Most are local operatives who have been rejected by their communities," he said, while warning that ISIS could still potentially regroup and reorganize.

Two regions remain challenging "due to their vastness, openness and diverse terrain," providing ISIS operatives with cover and space to maneuver, al-Aasam said.

These are the Hamreen hills, bordering Diyala, Salaheddine and Kirkuk provinces; and the vast Anbar desert stretching to Iraq's western border.

He stressed the importance of continued surveillance and "intensive preemptive military pressure" to prevent ISIS remnants "establishing safe havens and rebuilding their power and influence."

Iraq continues to strengthen its border with Syria through various measures to block ISIS's supply lines of fighters, weapons and money, al-Aasam said.