Iraqi Airstrikes Kill Eight IS Militants in Kirkuk’s Hamrin Mountains

Eight Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in a series of airstrikes by Iraqi forces in Kirkuk province, northern Iraq, the Iraqi military reported on Wednesday. Acting on precise intelligence, Iraqi forces launched four targeted airstrikes on Monday against an IS hideout in the Hamrin mountains, located in southern Kirkuk, as stated by the Security Media Cell, a media wing of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.

Following the airstrikes, a joint team of Iraqi army and intelligence personnel conducted a search of the site on Wednesday, where they confirmed the discovery of the bodies of eight IS fighters. Intelligence sources indicated that the casualties included several IS leaders, though their identities would be confirmed through DNA testing before being officially released.

Additionally, the joint forces recovered an assortment of weaponry, ammunition, explosives, communication tools, and logistical supplies at the location, further disrupting IS operations in the region.

While Iraq’s security environment has stabilized significantly since IS was defeated in 2017, remnants of the group persist, often infiltrating cities, deserts, and mountainous terrain, where they continue to launch sporadic guerrilla-style attacks on both security personnel and civilians.