عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Iraq Launches Operation to Pursue ISIS Elements After Recent Attacks

Ruins seen after an ISIS attack on one of the Popular Mobilization Forces checkpoints in Mukaishefah town, south of Tikrit, at dawn on Saturday, May 2, 2020. (AFP)
Ruins seen after an ISIS attack on one of the Popular Mobilization Forces checkpoints in Mukaishefah town, south of Tikrit, at dawn on Saturday, May 2, 2020. (AFP)
TT
TT

Iraq Launches Operation to Pursue ISIS Elements After Recent Attacks

Ruins seen after an ISIS attack on one of the Popular Mobilization Forces checkpoints in Mukaishefah town, south of Tikrit, at dawn on Saturday, May 2, 2020. (AFP)
Ruins seen after an ISIS attack on one of the Popular Mobilization Forces checkpoints in Mukaishefah town, south of Tikrit, at dawn on Saturday, May 2, 2020. (AFP)

Iraqi security forces began Sunday large-scale military operations to purse ISIS remnants.

This military campaign comes in response to the recent attacks launched by the terrorist organization in a number of Iraqi regions, in which security personnel and elements from the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) were killed.

According to the semi-official Al-Iraqiya TV channel, the operations were launched in line with orders by Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and focused on the outskirts of Salah al-Din province and the west of Diyala and Anbar provinces.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source in Mosul city said some merchants have recently complained about the ISIS elements again imposing royalties on them.

This brings to mind the group's blackmail and the imposition of royalties on the city's merchants and riches before seizing it in June 2014.

The source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the current extortion and royalties are practiced on a small scale and mostly in secret.

“Some traders respond to their demands, fearing retaliation by the terrorist elements and due to their lack of confidence in the government's measures against ISIS.”

“The trust of citizens in Mosul and Nineveh’s areas in the security forces and the PMF factions are declining,” the source stressed, noting that some of their elements were involved in similar corruption and blackmailing acts.

ISIS captured most of Nineveh province’s areas after June 2014 before being recaptured by Iraqi security forces in July 2017.

Hisham al-Hashemi, a specialist on extremist movements, said ISIS elements will most likely impose royalties and practice extortions on Nineveh’s citizens.

Hashemi told Asharq Al-Awsat that according to the confessions of detainees from the western Nineveh areas, ISIS had completed organizing its self-financing network in late 2019.

“ISIS collects royalties and investments estimated at about $100,000 a day from multiple trades, including arms, oil, medicines, and cigarettes, and takes royalties from transport vehicles and oil tanks,” the expert added.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
TT
TT

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.