Baghdad
On Thursday, three Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in airstrikes conducted in Iraq’s northern province of Kirkuk, as reported by the Iraqi military. Acting on intelligence, Iraqi warplanes launched an airstrike at 6:30 a.m. local time in the rugged Wadi al-Shay area, southwest of Kirkuk, resulting in the deaths of three IS militants, according to the Security Media Cell, a media outlet linked to the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.
The warplanes then targeted nearby caves and tunnels used by the militants, as reported by sources. The statement did not immediately detail the results of the second airstrike, but it mentioned that more information would be provided later.
An anonymous source from the Iraqi army informed sources that a force from Kirkuk Operations Command was sent to the site to investigate the aftermath of the strikes.
The security situation in Iraq has seen improvement since the defeat of IS in 2017. However, remnants of the group continue to infiltrate urban areas, deserts, and rugged regions, frequently launching guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians.
