38 Daesh/ISIS terrorists captured in Iraqi raid

KIRKUK, Iraq

Iraqi army forces captured 38 militants from the Daesh/ISIS terror group Saturday, according to the military.

A large number of weapons and ammunition were seized during the large-scale raid in Kirkuk, Ali Al-Fariji, head of operations command in Kirkuk told Anadolu Agency.

Security forces also destroyed eight shelters belonging to the terror group, he added.

Attacks blamed on Daesh/ISIS terrorists have escalated in Iraq in recent months, especially in the Salahuddin, Diyala and Kirkuk provinces.

In 2017, Iraq declared victory against Daesh/ISIS by reclaiming all of its territories -- about a third of the country -- invaded by the terror group in 2014.

But the terror group still maintains sleeper cells in large areas of Iraq and periodically launches attacks. The Iraqi army continues to carry out frequent operations against the group.