By Anas al-Bar | 2025-06-06

Iraqi airstrikes hit "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) hideouts in Kirkuk province's Wadi al-Shai area, killing six members of the group, the Joint Operations Command announced May 30.

Intelligence services had monitored the sites, near the village of Albu Muhammad in Daquq district, for more than two months, particularly at night, security sources said.

Following the strikes, Iraqi forces conducted a ground incursion into the isolated area to gather more information about the scene and assess the outcome of the attack, as well as to ensure there were no other hideouts they had missed.

The raid was the sixth such operation this year targeting ISIS cells that still hold positions in the highlands and valleys stretching between Kirkuk, Salaheddeine and Diyala provinces, security sources said.

Evolving operations

Operations to oust ISIS remnants are evolving due to precise intelligence, air power, modern warfare techniques and the competence of Iraqi soldiers, Security Media Cell deputy Maj. Gen. Tahseen al-Khafaji told Al-Fassel.

"We are making progress," he said. "It is no longer the enemy who threatens us; rather, today we are the ones surprising them and attacking their sanctuaries in places they never imagined we could reach."

"Our forces are pursuing terrorist cells, monitoring their movements and hideouts in the mountains and desert, and punishing them with hard-hitting strikes and operations," he said.

Al-Khafaji pointed to the weakness of these cells, noting that the threat they pose to the population "is declining year after year as the group continues to collapse as a result of the targeting of its leaders and the cut off of its funding."

Meanwhile, "relentless efforts are being made to develop Iraq's military infrastructure," he said.

Efforts are focused on "enhancing the competence of the forces and increasing their capabilities in terms of armament, training and equipping them with advanced aircraft and military equipment," he said.

Stamping out ISIS

Recent operations targeting ISIS cells reflect "the effectiveness of the security and intelligence activities of the army, police, intelligence and other military branches," military expert Safaa al-Aasam told Al-Fassel.

They also demonstrate "the outstanding coordination and exchange of information between all these agencies and their immediate and decisive response to terrorist activities and the uprooting of terrorist cells," he said.

Iraqi forces "are committed to continuing their efforts to eliminate the last remaining ISIS element," he added.

"They will not hesitate to carry out their strategic missions in this context to protect Iraqis and countries around the world from the evils of this extremist group."