A Kurdish military expert has warned that the Islamic State (IS) is far from being completely destroyed in Iraq. Although the terrorist group is now significantly weakened in terms of military and weapons capabilities, it continues to pose a threat through sporadic acts of terrorism. The expert also expressed concern over the delay in establishing two joint Iraqi-Kurdistan brigades in disputed Kurdish territories, caused by unknown reasons.

Former Secretary General of the Peshmerga Ministry and military expert Jabar Yawar told Kurdistan24 that although IS has been greatly reduced in capabilities and no longer controls any territory, the group has not been completely destroyed and continues to actively carry out terrorist attacks in various areas of Iraq.

"[Iraqi Prime Minister] Sudani's cabinet ordered the establishment of two joint brigades consisting of Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army, but the delay in implementing this decision is still unaddressed," Yawar said.

He stressed that a dedicated budget had been allocated for the establishment of these two brigades, but now there is a problem with the location of their headquarters and regiments, which were supposed to be based in the area from Khanaqin to Sahela.

Yawar also noted that both brigades were trained by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, but despite this, establishment of the brigades was postponed for various reasons.

On July 14, clashes occurred between Kurdish security forces and ISIS militants in the Karahanjir district of Kirkuk province. Two terrorists attacked a market and then exchanged fire with security forces at a nearby school. One ISIS member was killed and another was wounded. As a result of the clash, one security officer was also killed and another was wounded.