Iraq begins anti-Daesh/ISIS operation in 5 provinces

BAGHDAD

Iraq on Saturday launched a large-scale military operation against the Daesh/ISIS terror group in five provinces, according to the defense ministry.

A ministry statement said the offensive targets Daesh/ISIS remnants in the provinces of Anbar, Nineveh, Salah al-Din, Diyala and Kirkuk.

Forces from the army, border guards and the pro-government Hashd al-Shaabi militia are taking part in the operation.

The first phase of the anti-Daesh/ISIS operation took place last month, in which 19 Daesh/ISIS hideouts and six tunnels were destroyed. A large cache of explosive materials was also seized, according to Iraqi authorities.

In 2017, Iraq declared victory over Daesh/ISIS by reclaiming all territories the terrorist group controlled since the summer of 2014 which was estimated to be about a third of the country’s territory.

The group, however, still maintains sleeper cells in large areas in Iraq and occasionally launches sporadic attacks.

* Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar in Ankara