KIRKUK, Iraq

Iraqi security forces launched an operation Sunday against Daesh/ISIS militants in the southwestern region of Kirkuk, said Yilmaz Shahbaz Abbas, deputy commander of the Northern and Eastern Tigris Operations.

The operation, carried out by the 16th Brigade under the Northern and Eastern Tigris Operations Command, targeted areas where elements of the terrorist group were identified. The forces focused on two valleys, where they successfully destroyed four explosive devices.

Abbas noted that no direct clashes with the terrorists occurred during the operation, which began in the morning and has now been completed.

Daesh/ISIS seized large portions of Iraq, including all of Mosul, Salahaddin and Anbar provinces, along with parts of Diyala and Kirkuk, in June 2014.

The areas were eventually retaken by Iraqi forces over the years. On Dec. 9, 2017, former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over Daesh/ISIS

However, despite the passage of seven years since Iraq was declared free of the terrorist organization, it continues to carry out attacks in the rural areas of the provinces.