The Security Media Cell in Iraq announced the launch of the third stage of the security operation to purify and search areas in the Salahuddin Governorate, in the north of the country, to pursue ISIS operatives.
The cell said in a statement that the military operation, under the supervision of the Joint Operations Command, was attended by several military units belonging to the Ministries of Defense and Interior and the Popular Mobilization Forces, with the support of army, air force, and international coalition aircraft.
The cell statement pointed out that the process aims to search these areas, pursue the elements of the wanted state and enhance security and stability in them.
It is reported that on February 12, the first phase of the "Operation Iraq" military operation began to pursue the organization of the state, while Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi launched the second phase of it on the second of this month.
The military operation follows an increase in the frequency of attacks by suspected ISIS militants, especially in the area between Kirkuk, Salah al-Din and Diyala, known as the Triangle of Death in the country.
In 2017, Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State in the restoration of its entire territory, which was estimated to be about a third of the country’s area invaded by ISIS in the summer of 2014.
But the organization still keeps sleeping cells in large areas in Iraq, and launches attacks from far apart.