On July 22, the Iraqi National Security Service announced the capture of 21 members of the Islamic State (IS) in the Sulaymaniyah province of the Kurdistan Region.

Security officials said the operation was the result of intelligence-based efforts and months of surveillance. After receiving permission from the court, the Counter-Terrorism Unit, in cooperation with the Kurdistan Region security authorities, conducted a raid on IS hideouts.

Among those detained are high-level IS commanders, including the chief of security for the so-called “Fallujah province” and the administrative assistant for the “Dijla province.”

During interrogations, the detainees admitted to belonging to the Islamic State and to carrying out multiple operations against the security forces.

The Islamic State continues to pose a threat to security forces and civilians in Iraq. The group uses its sleeping cells to carry out terrorist activities.