Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council announced on Thursday that three Islamic State (ISIS) militants have been sentenced to death for their involvement in attacks on security forces in the Anbar and Salahaddin provinces. The court stated that the militants sought to "create fear and panic among civilians" through their actions.

The trio was convicted under the 2005 Terrorism Law, which outlines severe penalties for participation in terrorist activities. The sentencing comes as Iraqi security forces have ramped up anti-ISIS operations across the country, particularly in disputed areas where ISIS sleeper cells remain active.

On the same day, Iraq’s Joint Operations Command confirmed the death of at least six suspected ISIS militants, including a leader, in an operation in Kirkuk province. This reflects ongoing efforts to dismantle the remnants of the terrorist group, which, despite being territorially defeated in 2017, continues to conduct bombings, hit-and-run attacks, and abductions across multiple provinces.

Since ISIS seized large portions of Iraqi territory in 2014, thousands of suspected militants have been detained, and hundreds have been executed. However, human rights organizations have criticized the trials, arguing that they often rely on confessions obtained through torture, fail to investigate specific charges like genocide, and exclude victims from the process, depriving them of justice.

The Iraqi government continues its efforts to eradicate ISIS cells, but concerns remain about the fairness and transparency of the judicial process in handling terrorism-related cases.