Expert tells the Reference: ISIS exploits fragile areas in Kurdistan to achieve its goals

Aya Ezz

An expert in political affairs said that ISIS has exploited the security vacuums in the Kurdish areas of Iraq to achieve its destructive goals, wanting to show itself in a strong way through attacks and therefore taking advantage of the security weakness in the Kurdish areas, adding that the terrorist organization also aims to stir up confusion and strife, because the Kurds of Iraq are in a very sensitive situation.

Dr. Mahmoud Mohamed Mahmoud, a professor of political psychology, confirmed in an exclusive statement to the Reference that the international coalition forces and the Iraqi army are responsible for the ISIS attacks, the latest of which was a major attack that took place on Friday morning, December 3, in the village of Khader Jija in Makhmour district near Erbil, and nearly 10 victims were killed due to the inaction of the security forces in the area that is in need of good security.

Mahmoud pointed out that the Kurdish forces in those areas are in dire need of armament and training, as well as equipping military points and providing them with surveillance cameras, in anticipation of any attacks.

“ISIS is exploiting the fragile areas in Kurdistan, as well as the tribal interference and the proximity of the areas to the Syrian border. It is looking for a foothold there,” he continued.

“Despite the organization’s elimination in Iraq in 2017, its sleeper cells are still continuing and carrying out many terrorist operations, and the frequency of its violence has increased significantly in recent months,” he added.

Mahmoud concluded his statement by saying that eliminating ISIS in the Kurdish areas requires military and security cooperation between the Kurdish security forces and the Iraqi security forces, especially since ISIS sleeper cells in the Makhmour, Erbil, Diyala and Kirkuk regions are very active, requiring military cooperation to confront them.