In a recent attack, militants belonging to the Islamic State (IS) targeted an Iraqi army position in the northern governorate of Kirkuk, resulting in the death of two military officers and injuries to three soldiers.

The attack took place in the district of Dibis, where the militants employed light and medium weapons. The Iraqi Security Media Cell has announced that authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident. IS has claimed responsibility for the attack on their website.

According to the Iraqi Security Media Cell, the extremist group launched the attack late on Saturday, exploiting the vulnerability of the military position in Dibis. However, specific details regarding the nature of the assault were not provided in the statement.

In recent weeks, the Iraqi military has intensified its efforts to eliminate IS sleeper cells operating near the country's borders. The Counter Terrorism Service of Iraq conducted airstrikes targeting the group's positions in the Anbar province's western desert and the Hamrin mountains near Kirkuk. These operations resulted in the deaths of 27 militants.

The governorate of Kirkuk has been a frequent target of IS militants in recent years. In November 2022, the group attacked and killed four Iraqi soldiers in the Dibis district, seizing their weapons and communication equipment. Kirkuk's governor, Rakan Saeed al-Jiboury, emphasized that the area of the attack is divided between the Iraqi army and Kurdish peshmerga forces, who do not coordinate their actions, allowing IS to exploit the situation.

Although the territorial control of IS in Iraq and Syria was dismantled during a U.S.-backed campaign, the group continues to maintain sleeper cells that carry out sporadic attacks, causing casualties among both Iraqi and Syrian civilians.

The Iraqi authorities are committed to confronting the persistent threat posed by IS and are actively working to enhance security measures and coordination among various security forces to prevent future attacks.