Iraqi security forces killed 30 Islamic State (IS) militants during a large-scale operation in the Hamrin Mountains of Kirkuk, a senior military official confirmed on Wednesday.

The operation, launched in the first week of January, was supported by precision airstrikes from the Iraqi Air Force. Maj. Gen. Saleh Harz Nasser, Commander of Kirkuk Operations, stated that security forces recovered the bodies of 13 insurgents after the strikes.

“We’ve struck a critical blow to ISIS and will ensure they have no ground to operate on. We will burn the earth under their feet,” Nasser declared.

Marking Iraq’s Army Day with Counterterrorism Success
The operation coincides with celebrations of the 104th anniversary of the Iraqi Army. In recent years, Iraq has intensified its counterterrorism efforts, dismantling several IS cells and targeting high-ranking leaders throughout 2024.

IS Presence in Iraq’s “Triangle of Death”

Although the Islamic State lost its territorial hold in 2017, it remains active, particularly in the so-called “Triangle of Death,” which spans the provinces of Kirkuk, Salahaddin, and Diyala. The group’s sleeper cells have shifted to guerrilla tactics, including assassinations, kidnappings, and extortion, to destabilize the region.

Iraqi authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating IS remnants and ensuring security in these vulnerable areas. The success of the recent operation demonstrates continued progress in combating the lingering threat of IS.