Iraqi authorities reported Saturday the dismantling of an Islamic State (IS) cell in Kirkuk province, resulting in the arrest of six group members, including their alleged leader in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. The operation, conducted by the Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) with support from Kurdish security forces, targeted a safehouse in the provincial capital, Kirkuk, approximately 250 kilometers north of Baghdad.
According to an INSS statement, the raid led to a confrontation in which one IS fighter took their own life while the remaining six were captured. Among those arrested was the suspected leader of IS operations in the Kurdistan region. The group had allegedly been planning attacks on government facilities and senior officials in Kirkuk.
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Although Iraq declared victory over IS in 2017, remnants of the group continue to pose a threat by hiding in urban areas, deserts, and mountainous regions. These elements have been responsible for guerrilla-style attacks on both security forces and civilians, highlighting ongoing security challenges despite broader improvements in stability.
The INSS emphasized that the successful operation reflects continued efforts to prevent further violence and safeguard Iraq’s security.