Iraqi army, Peshmerga launch joint anti-ISIS op in disputed areas
PKK expected to remain in Shingal despite dissolution: Yazidi commander
Push for unified Kurdish opposition bloc set back by key group's withdrawal
Kurdish-directed 'Said Effendi' to make historic debut at Cannes Festival
More than a decade on, 2,500 Yazidis still missing after ISIS attack
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army launched a joint operation in the Qarachogh mountain area of Makhmour district in Nineveh province on Monday, following signs of Islamic State (ISIS) movement detected by thermal cameras, but found no militants during the search.
Makhmour is among areas disputed by Erbil and Baghdad, and ISIS has previously exploited the security vacuum in the town's rugged terrain.
'The army and security forces in the area noticed suspicious nighttime movements through thermal cameras. Therefore, a joint operation was conducted today to follow up and search the area, but no ISIS militants were found, and the operation ended,' Mohammed Jassim Kakai, head of the security and defense committee in the Nineveh Provincial Council, told Rudaw.
To bolster security and stability in the region, the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army carried out a joint operation in the foothills of Mount Qarachogh, according to a statement from the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs on Facebook. The search covered the plains and valleys to the south and north of the mountain.
'The aim of these operations is to search for and clear ISIS terrorist hideouts, so that the region's security and calm can be better maintained,' the ministry added.
ISIS seized vast territories in Iraq in 2014 but was declared territorially defeated by the Iraqi army in 2017. Despite this, the group continues to threaten security in parts of the country through abductions, hit-and-run attacks, and bombings - especially in the disputed areas.
The fight against ISIS marked a key moment of cooperation between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army, which had historically been at odds. In recent years, both sides have formed joint brigades and launched coordinated operations to close security gaps in disputed territories claimed by both the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraqi News
44 minutes ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq denies halt in improved gasoline production amid self-sufficiency push
Baghdad ( – An Iraqi oil official moved to quell public concern on Sunday, strongly denying widespread rumors that the country has halted the production of improved-grade gasoline. Rafid Sadiq, media director for the state-run Oil Products Distribution Company, stated to a local news agency that information about a halt in production is 'completely incorrect.' He stressed that there is no final stop to this production. 'No governorate in Iraq has registered any crisis at any station regarding the availability of improved gasoline; the situation is very normal,' Sadiq affirmed, adding there is 'no crisis whatsoever in production or distribution.' The denial addresses recent rumors that production had ceased due to a halt in imports. This comes as Iraq works towards a major strategic goal of ending gasoline imports this year, a plan announced by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani in July. While new facilities like the Karbala refinery are adding significant domestic supply, the country still partially relies on imports to cover all its needs. Sadiq's statement aims to reassure the public of market stability during this transitional period.
Iraqi News
44 minutes ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq expands Baiji refinery complex
Baghdad ( – The northern Iraqi province of Salah al-Din marked an important milestone in the energy sector with the opening of a new oil refinery and the commencement of a large project to rehabilitate the Baiji gas power plant, ushering in a new era of growth in the country. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani inaugurated on Saturday the oil refinery and a power plant in the city of Baiji, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The project is part of the Iraqi government's ambitions to reconstruct terrorism-damaged facilities and attain self-sufficiency in fuel and energy production. The refinery is currently operating at full capacity, producing up to 250,000 tons of oil annually. Al-Sudani noted that the inauguration of the refinery demonstrates Iraq's ability to accomplish projects that used to be carried out by foreign corporations. The prime minister also inaugurated a 50-megawatt power plant designed to meet the refinery's electrical needs independently of the national grid. This ensures continuous operation and alleviates pressure on the country's electrical network. The refinery produces various types of oils, such as engine oils, heavy oils, and turbine oils, in addition to 600,000 tons of multi-grade asphalt each year. This output supports the local market and helps conserve foreign currency. Al-Sudani said in January that the city of Baiji is expected to be one of the largest cities in the oil industry in the region. At the following phase, a petrochemical plant will be set up at refineries in Baiji, according to Al-Sudani. The Iraqi government is working on several strategic initiatives that are being carried out for the first time in the country's history. These initiatives are projected to increase the country's output of oil, gas, and electricity.
Iraqi News
44 minutes ago
- Iraqi News
Iraqi universities hold moment of silence for Yazidi genocide anniversary
Baghdad ( – Iraq's academic institutions across the country held a unified moment of silence on Sunday to commemorate the National Day for the Genocide of the Yazidis and other Iraqi components. In a statement, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said the event demonstrated the academic institution's firm commitment to national and humanitarian values. Ministry staff and university affiliates in various Iraqi governorates participated in the solemn observance. The moment of silence was held to honor the souls of the victims and to remember the atrocities committed by terrorist groups against Yazidi civilians and other communities. According to the statement, participants raised the Iraqi flag, emphasizing the importance of supporting national efforts to achieve justice for the victims and their families. The act also served to document and reinforce the Iraqi people's unified stand against terrorism and extremist ideologies.
