ERBIL — Iraqi armed forces on Wednesday morning launched an operation to hunt down the Islamic State (IS) militants hiding in the remote areas of Salahaddin province.
Iraq’s Security Media Cell said in a statement that the operation was launched in Sarsar Valley with the support of the local federal police forces.
IS has recently once again stepped up its movements and terrorist attacks in Salahaddin, Diyala, and Kirkuk, targeting both civilians and armed forces.
Earlier this week, for the first time in nearly two-and-a-half years, the US warplanes conducted an airstrike against the IS targets from an aircraft carrier deployed in the Persian Gulf.