Iraqi warplanes conducted a series of airstrikes on Tuesday, targeting suspected Islamic State (ISIS) cells in the Hamrin Mountains of Kirkuk province, the Iraqi army announced.

The Security Media Cell, in a statement, said the strikes were carried out using F-16 fighter jets within the Kirkuk Operations Command sector. “The retreating, defeated terrorist ISIS gangs were targeted in the Hamrin Mountains,” the statement read.

The strikes reportedly killed an unspecified number of ISIS members and destroyed their hideouts. The operation was conducted with support from the U.S.-led international coalition, underscoring continued international collaboration in combating ISIS.

Ongoing Threat from ISIS

ISIS controlled vast territories in northern and central Iraq in 2014 but was territorially defeated in 2017 through joint efforts by Iraqi and Kurdish forces, supported by the U.S.-led coalition.

Despite its defeat, the group remains a threat, conducting sporadic attacks, bombings, and abductions, especially in disputed areas spanning provinces like Diyala, Salahaddin, Kirkuk, and Nineveh.

Tuesday’s operation marks the second airstrike targeting the Hamrin Mountains this year, following another strike on Friday. Additionally, Iraqi and Kurdish security forces detained four suspected ISIS members on Saturday.

Pentagon’s Assessment

According to a recent Pentagon report released on October 29, ISIS poses a greater threat in Syria than in Iraq. The report noted that in Iraq, “ISIS displayed limited capabilities, conducting the lowest number of attacks observed since the onset of the Sunni insurgency in Iraq in 2003,” and highlighted no significant improvement in the group’s attack sophistication.

These airstrikes reflect Iraq’s ongoing efforts to neutralize lingering ISIS threats and stabilize regions previously affected by the group’s activities.