On Monday, the government security media cell in Iraq announced the launch of a military operation to pursue ISIS militants in the north of the country.

The cell stated in a press statement, "Iraqi army, the police, and the Popular Mobilization Forces, with air support from the army and international coalition aviation, began to carry out a clearing and search operation on the borders separating the commands of Salah al-Din, Samarra and Diyala operations within the Great Hawi area."

"This operation aims to pursue the remnants of ISIS terrorist gangs, destroy their hideouts, search for those wanted by the judiciary, and cleanse these lands of the remnants of terrorist gangs," the statement added.