Iraq: 13 policemen killed in IS attack near Kirkuk
The Islamic State group is no longer as powerful as it was at its peak in 2014, but its attacks are recurrent in Iraq, especially during elections.
AP - Hussein Malla
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
An ISIS ambush against a security force checkpoint left more than 10 dead and 5 injured.
The attack took place near Kirkuk in the north of the country.
A region where the jihadists continue to operate, reclusive in tunnels, caves or small villages in the province.
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With our correspondent in Baghdad,
Lucile Wassermann
Thirteen dead, 5 wounded among the security forces.
The human toll of the ambush launched by the Islamic State group this Sunday is heavy and reminds us that the jihadists are still present and active in Iraq.
"
Today, they are mostly small groups,"
explains Sabah Namaan, spokesperson for the anti-terrorist forces in the headquarters in Baghdad.
They hide in areas that are difficult to access, such as mountainous regions.
"
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To read also: In Iraq, Emmanuel Macron calls not to “lower our guard” against the IS group
"No
longer the same capacities as in 2014
"
This spokesperson, installed behind his desk, still wishes to put things into perspective: the Islamic State group no longer has the same capacities as in 2014, at its peak.
It “
cannot come back today and occupy parts of the territory, because it now lacks logistics, funding and combatants.
And then our security forces and our anti-terrorism forces continue their mission against him.
"
Still, these ambushes against security forces deployed on the outskirts of towns are still frequent.
Especially during election periods, as is the case today in Iraq.
The country will organize legislative elections on October 10.
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To listen: Grand Reoportage: Sinjar, 5 years after the fall of Daesh
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Iraq
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