Iraqi Security forces in northern and eastern Iraq are attempting to destroy the remaining pockets of ISIS, whose components are scattered in wild and semi-mountainous areas, especially those between the governorates of Kirkuk and Saladin, advancing towards Diyala governorate.
The Joint Operations Command reported the takeoff of the seventh phase of the “Swords of Justice” operation. The Security Media Cell said that “this operation aligns with the leadership’s concept and strategy to follow the remnants of ISIS terrorist gangs and preserve pressure on their defeated features as part of the proactive strategy adopted by security forces in different responsibility sectors, stopping the enemy from accessing geographically difficult areas.”
Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji, the official representative for the Joint Operations Command (JOC), said that “JOC undertook extensive security operations in five military bases: West Nineveh, Kirkuk, Saladin, East Saladin, Al-Anbar, and Diyala. This preemptive function sends a message to ISIS gangs that our service units can execute and strike their hideouts in high temperatures, mountains, and valleys.”
He established the operation’s complete success, emphasising the destruction of ISIS hideouts, confiscation of weapons, and elimination of further locations. Al-Khafaji highlighted the military’s comprehensive knowledge of ISIS’s use of mountainous and desert landscapes. “The air force and army aviation have recreated a crucial role,” he said, “executing successful strikes that neutralized multiple ISIS terrorists and destroyed their hideouts in areas surrounding Kirkuk and Saladin.”
He also discoursed the coordinated actions between the East Saladin Operations and the Joint Operations Command. “They are performing together with Kirkuk and Saladin Operations Command to assure the security of Kirkuk, Tuz Khurmatu, and destroy any terrorist activity within these governorates.”
Al-Khafaji demonstrated that “the “Swords of Justice” operation also strives to secure visitors during the holy month of Muharram and those desiring to perform the pilgrimage to Najaf and Karbala. High temperatures and mountainous and plain regions will not impede Iraq’s heroes, and we will strike ISIS and its pockets at any time and place”.
Coordination with the Kurdistan Region
Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji presented that the Joint Operations Command has two special forces brigades developed in coordination with the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and affiliated with the Ministry of Defense. Their task is to “deploy and monitor the weak regions of security between the Region and other areas.” This strategic deployment strives to sever ISIS’s movement and activities between these regions. Al-Khafaji stated that military operations include following ISIS, arms dealers, and drug traffickers, and they will not permit anyone to “compromise citizens’ security.”
Security professional Ali al-Bayati said that “the Joint Operations Command is operating to seal security holes and cut off ISIS’s routes, especially near Kirkuk, including Daqouq district and Tuz Khurmatu district, where there are joint spaces between Kirkuk and Saladin like Al-Shay Valley in Daqouq, Zarga Valley, Zghaitoun southwest of Kirkuk, Al-Fatha area in Saladin, and the stripe between Saladin and Diyala in the Al-Azim area”.
He persisted that controlling the Al-Shay Valley in Daqouq and Zarga in Tuz Khurmatu suggests eliminating any movement of ISIS terrorist groups, which still manipulate security-weak areas to target security forces or even civilians. He assured that “redeploying security forces in southern Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu towards the border strip between Diyala and Saladin will contribute to destroying ISIS pockets in all their areas of presence.”
