Two IS Militants Neutralized in Iraqi Airstrike
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Synopsis
On February 13, the Iraqi military confirmed the death of two Islamic State militants in an airstrike in Kirkuk. The operation, based on intelligence, targeted an IS hideout, leading to the recovery of weapons and the identification of one militant as Adnan Khalil Jad'an, known as Haji Awad.
Key Takeaways
- Two IS militants were killed in an airstrike.
- Operation took place in Kirkuk, Iraq.
- One militant identified as Adnan Khalil Jad'an.
- Significant weapons and supplies were recovered.
- IS remains active despite territorial defeats.
Baghdad, Feb 13 (NationPress) Two Islamic State (IS) militants were eliminated in an air raid in the northern province of Kirkuk, as reported by the Iraqi military.
Acting on intelligence, Iraqi forces executed an airstrike on Sunday, targeting an IS hideout in the challenging terrain of Kirkuk, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet linked to the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.
A collaborative team of army and intelligence officers searched the bombed site on Wednesday, where they discovered the remains of two militants, with one recognized as Adnan Khalil Jad'an, also known as Haji Awad, while the identity of the second militant is pending verification, the statement indicated.
Additionally, the forces recovered various weapons, mobile devices, and other logistical materials from the hideout, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
"Intelligence from the 11th Infantry Division facilitated the identification of the cell in the Zghaitoun Valley near Al-Kuba village. This information was forwarded to the Military Intelligence Directorate under the Joint Operations Command (JOC), which coordinated the airstrike," the source added.
According to JOC, "The airstrike was effectively carried out despite challenging terrain, with ground forces later retrieving the bodies of two militants. One of them was Adnan Khalil Jad'an, known as Haji Awad, who was implicated in a prior attack that resulted in the deaths of four Iraqi soldiers. Security forces also confiscated weapons, communication tools, and logistical supplies from the location."
On February 10, a security source in Kirkuk confirmed the initiation of a large-scale operation to recover the remains of ISIS militants following the airstrike.
The Zghaitoun Valley, recognized for its rugged terrain, has historically been a stronghold for insurgent factions. Despite having been territorially defeated, ISIS continues its activities in the area, utilizing ambushes, bombings, and kidnappings to disrupt security.
On January 11, four members of the Islamic State, including two senior leaders, were killed in an airstrike executed by Iraqi aircraft in the Hamrin Mountains in eastern Iraq, as stated by security officials.
Even though Iraq declared victory over IS in 2017, remnants of the organization persist in conducting attacks against security forces and civilians across urban centers, deserts, and isolated regions.
