ISIS takes advantage of conflict, COVID-19 and insecurity to reemerge in Iraq

Mostafa Kamel

ISIS, aka Daesh, is seeking to reemerge in Iraq by intensifying its terrorist operations. The terrorist organization has set up trials again and imposed royalties on civilians in Iraq for the first time since it was defeated in 2017.

Daesh has taken advantage of the coronavirus outbreak as well as insecurity and lawlessness as the Iraqi authorities are preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic, not to mention the US-Iranian conflict.

The ISIS women are committed to the terrorist organization’s takfiri dogmas as they are holding secret trials for women who criticized Daesh or opposed the organization’s thought.

These women are also conducting ‘hisba’, or religious police, patrols, which are similar to what Al-Khansaa Brigade of ISIS.

The ISIS women are assaulting other women, who do not wear niqab, or Islamic veil that fully cover the face.

Minister of Peshmerga Shorish Ismael said on April 12 that terrorist organization had imposed royalties on civilians in areas where the Iraqi security forces were not there.

The ISIS cells intensified attacks over the past weeks, especially in the region between the governorates of Kirkuk, North Salah al-Din and East Diyala, which is known as the “Triangle of Death”.

ISIS is seeking an opportunity to reemerge again in Iraq taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US-Iranian tension. The pro-Iranian militias have been attacking the US targets in Iraq.

The Iraqi security forces foiled three attacks launched by ISIS on April 12. Moreover, the recent ISIS attacks were not the first of their kind to announce its reemergence in Iraq, as it has intensified its terrorist operations in the northeastern region of Iraq near the Iranian border.

The ISIS terrorists have also carried out many ambushes and used mortar fire since the US forces suspended military operations against Daesh after the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iranian Quds Force, on January 3.

The US is seeking to protect around 5,200 troops in Iraq from any possible attacks by ISIS or pro-Iranian militias.