Fresh IS Attack in Kirkuk

On the evening of May 15, the Islamic State (IS) launched another attack on the Iraqi army in the disputed Kurdish province of Kirkuk. The militants attacked the 2nd Battalion of the 32nd Brigade of the 8th Army Division stationed in the village of Alwamahmoud in Kirkuk province. The attack reportedly left one soldier dead and two injured.

Additional forces swiftly mobilized to the village, commencing a manhunt operation to apprehend the perpetrators.

This is the second assault by Islamic State militants within a span of three days. On Monday, the jihadists targeted both the Iraqi army and pro-Iran Hashd al-Shaabi militias in an area straddling Diyala and Salahaddin provinces.

Despite Iraq officially declaring victory over the Islamic State in late 2017, attacks on military personnel and civilians continue.

Iraqi officials claim that the country is capable of combating IS independently, and they continue to advocate for the withdrawal of US and Global Coalition forces from Iraq, emphasizing the need for sustained vigilance and cooperation to ensure stability and security nationwide.