Iraq shelling ISIS militants from air

Noura Bendari

Iraqi security services have recently resorted to developing techniques they can rely on in the fight against ISIS.

They began launching airstrikes on areas where ISIS militants are located, including through the use of drones.

The security services also monitor and eavesdrop on communications between the members of the terrorist organization.

This operational development comes in response to calls by the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani for following a new strategy in countering ISIS.

Intense airstrikes

Official spokesman for the Iraqi Joint Operations, Tahsin al-Khafaji, revealed on May 16 that the Iraqi forces recently carried out airstrikes against ISIS elements, especially those located in geographical areas that are difficult for troops to reach.

He said the Iraqi forces carried out an airstrike, using F-16 aircraft.

The airstrike, he added, targeted a site for ISIS militants in Wadi al-Shai area in Kirkuk province in northern Iraq.

He revealed that the airstrike left seven ISIS elements dead.

Iraqi media revealed, meanwhile, that since the beginning of this year, the security forces have carried out about 35 airstrikes on the mountainous areas where ISIS militants are stationed, especially in north-eastern Iraq in the liberated provinces of Nineveh, Kirkuk, Salah al-Din, Diyala and Anbar.

Complicity

On reasons behind the re-emergence of ISIS, Regional Director of al-Rafidain International Centre for Justice and Human Rights, Hanan Abdelatif, said the terrorist organization exploits the demands of ordinary Iraqis in liberated provinces.

She called for improving services, ending corruption, and releasing detainees.

“The expansion of ISIS in Iraq is mainly due to the complicity of some Iraqi forces and governments, especially those affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Militia which is loyal to Iran,” Abdelatif told The Reference.

She said these forces do this in order to gain political privileges and give citizens the impression that their country does not seriously fight terrorism.

“ISIS return this time might be sponsored by the mullahs’ regime in Iran,” Abdelatif said.