Iraq Launches Operation to Purge ISIS Remnants in Kirkuk

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visits Kirkuk to launch the ‘Iraq Heroes – Victory for Sovereignty Operation’. (Iraq PM’s official Twitter page)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visits Kirkuk to launch the ‘Iraq Heroes – Victory for Sovereignty Operation’. (Iraq PM’s official Twitter page)
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Iraq Launches Operation to Purge ISIS Remnants in Kirkuk

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visits Kirkuk to launch the ‘Iraq Heroes – Victory for Sovereignty Operation’. (Iraq PM’s official Twitter page)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visits Kirkuk to launch the ‘Iraq Heroes – Victory for Sovereignty Operation’. (Iraq PM’s official Twitter page)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced Tuesday that security forces will launch a large operation aimed at purging ISIS remnants in Kirkuk and its border with the Salaheddine governorate.

The operation, dubbed: “Iraq Heroes – Victory for Sovereignty," is the largest campaign against ISIS since Kadhimi was named prime minister in May.

In a surprise visit to the Kirkuk Joint Operation Command, he noted that during these difficult circumstances and the many challenges that the country is enduring, “our heroes of the armed forces are defying the enemy and playing a heroic role to dry up the sources of terrorism.”

Kadhimi’s media office said the operation aims to enhance security and stability, dry up the sources of terrorism and pursue ISIS remnants in the southwestern areas of Kirkuk.

The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) announced that the international anti-ISIS coalition is participating in the operations to destroy ISIS's hideouts in different regions in conjunction with this operation.

CTS units succeeded in destroying ISIS shelters with the support of the Iraqi army and the international coalition, killing a number of terrorists, announced the service in a statement.

Iraqi Armed Forces spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool said the air force supported the second phase of the “Iraqi Heroes” operation, which was launched on Tuesday to search the southwestern areas of Kirkuk bordering Salaheddine in an area exceeding 738 kilometers.

Official spokesperson for US-led Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), Colonel Myles Caggins, tweeted that “everybody is working together to defeat ISIS.”

Security researcher Hisham al-Hashimi announced on Twitter that military operations were launched to pursue the remnants of ISIS terrorist organization in various regions, involving a number of security units from the Tribal Mobilization Forces and Popular Mobilization Forces.

Security expert Fadel Abu Ragheef said that the southeastern areas of Kirkuk are the most extremist in Iraq, because practically the whole of ISIS is stationed there.

Abu Ragheef told Asharq al-Awsat that the terrorist organization teaches Shariah and hosts several gatherings in those areas.

He explained that Abdullah Kirkuk, the new “emir” of the organization, highly values the governorate because it is bordered by Nineveh, Salaheddine, the Tikrit desert, Diyala, and Haditha desert.

ISIS also takes advantage from the political differences among Kirkuk factions and parties, he added.



Lebanon: Mysterious Evacuation Calls Renew Fears of Israeli Strikes

A Lebanese soldier secures participants during a marathon in Beirut last week (AP)
A Lebanese soldier secures participants during a marathon in Beirut last week (AP)
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Lebanon: Mysterious Evacuation Calls Renew Fears of Israeli Strikes

A Lebanese soldier secures participants during a marathon in Beirut last week (AP)
A Lebanese soldier secures participants during a marathon in Beirut last week (AP)

A wave of anonymous phone calls urging residents to evacuate buildings in southern and eastern Lebanon sparked fresh panic on Saturday over potential Israeli attacks. Though the threats later proved to be unfounded and traced to local sources, the incident unfolded amid heightened tensions and the continued presence of Israeli military aircraft in the skies above South Lebanon.

According to local media reports, Lebanese citizens in the town of Tammine in the Bekaa Valley (eastern Lebanon) received phone calls urging them to evacuate a residential building. Security forces immediately launched an investigation into the origin of the calls, while residents evacuated the building as a precaution.

After coordination with Lebanese security agencies, authorities confirmed the caller was Lebanese and the threat lacked credibility. Legal measures were initiated against the individual responsible for the hoax threat.

Security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the calls were made from within Lebanese territory, and the numbers are being tracked using technical means. “We are monitoring these calls and pursuing those responsible,” a source said.

This incident is the latest in a series of similar events. Over the past few months, especially during the expanded conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border, hundreds of Lebanese citizens have received anonymous calls warning of imminent strikes, spreading fear across communities.

Lebanese authorities have arrested around 20 individuals linked to these threats. Security officials noted that during periods of active conflict, Lebanon’s military intelligence identified coordinated foreign campaigns - some linked to Israel - aimed at inciting fear among the population.

“These calls were part of organized external efforts, and in some cases, the Lebanese army’s intelligence managed to trace and neutralize them by blocking digital access points used to relay such messages,” a security source explained. “They were indeed causing panic among residents.”

Residents, particularly in southern Lebanon, say they have no choice but to treat such calls seriously. Israel has occasionally issued official warnings ahead of attacks, as seen in two incidents in Beirut’s southern suburbs after a ceasefire agreement took effect. However, in other instances, Israeli aircraft have carried out strikes without warning, further fueling concern among civilians and prompting widespread caution.

Saturday’s panic was further heightened by intensified Israeli aerial activity over southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported low-flying Israeli fighter jets over the villages and towns of Tyre district, as well as over Jezzine and the eastern sector of the south.

Local activists also reported Israeli drones flying at low altitude above the Litani River basin. One drone reportedly dropped two sound bombs over the Wadi al-Asafir area in the town of Khiam.