Iraq nabs 2 IS militants, destroys 3 hideouts

Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam 

Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) announced on Wednesday the arrest of two Islamic State (IS) militants in the western province of Anbar and the destruction of three IS hideouts in the northern Kirkuk province.

A CTS statement said that the arrests were carried out during two separate operations based on precise intelligence and judicial warrants.

Separately, CTS forces in Kirkuk located and destroyed three IS hideouts during search and ambush operations, it added.

The operations come amid heightened vigilance as Iraqi security forces on Tuesday arrested an IS militant wearing an explosive belt in Anbar, thwarting a suicide bombing attempt.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerrilla attacks against security forces and civilians.