Iraqi Air Force strikes ISIS hideouts, neutralizes two terrorists in Salah Al-Din

The Iraqi Air Force, under the command of the Iraqi Armed Forces, successfully targeted and destroyed an ISIS hideout in Salah Al-Din governorate, located north of Baghdad. The operation resulted in the elimination of two terrorists, according to Yahya Rasoul, the spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief.

Despite Iraq declaring the liberation of its territories from ISIS in late 2017, security operations persist as authorities actively pursue remnants of the terrorist group. The ongoing efforts include battles in various governorates such as Nineveh, Kirkuk, Diyala, Salah Al-Din, Anbar, and the outskirts of Baghdad.

A report presented to the UN Security Council highlighted the dynamic nature of the situation. UN experts, referencing a report from August, indicated that ISIS still commands between 5,000 to 7,000 members in its former strongholds across Syria and Iraq. The report assessed the threat level during the first half of 2023, noting a predominantly high risk in conflict zones and a lower risk in non-conflict areas.

Despite significant losses in the group’s leadership and diminished activity in Syria and Iraq, the risk of ISIS resurgence remains, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance by Iraqi security forces.