Iraqi Air Force eliminates an ISIS leader, other terrorists in Kirkuk
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The Iraqi army reveals that the slain ISIS terrorist leader is Omar Salah Naamah.
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Three Iraqi Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly in formation during a training sortie above an undisclosed location on July 18, 2019 (Air Force)
Iraqi Air Force F-16s killed six members of the ISIS terrorist group on Thursday in several airstrikes targeting their positions in Kirkuk in the northern part of the country.
In a statement issued by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, the Iraqi army announced the death of Omar Salah Naamah, also known as Abu Khattab, the commander of what is referred to by ISIS in Kirkuk as the Al-Bu Hamdan sector, along with terrorists Othman Abu Abed and Ezzedine Hisham.
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The statement indicated that the airstrike was the result of "outstanding intelligence work and precise monitoring that lasted for over two months, supported by technical efforts, surveillance, and planning."
The airstrikes were followed by a ground raid and search operation at the targeted site, led by the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in coordination with units from the Counter-Terrorism Service.
During the follow-up operation, the bodies of the terrorists were recovered, along with multiple explosive belts, weapons, technical equipment, and various phones used by the group.
'The Iraqi people defeated ISIS'
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced earlier this week that the end date for the US-led international coalition's mission in Iraq will be revealed soon, emphasizing that the country has moved from a period of war to one of stability.
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In an interview for Bloomberg published on Tuesday, the prime minister stated that the announcement will be made during the upcoming international conference against the terrorist group ISIS, noting that ending the coalition's mission is "part of the government's program."
"The justifications for the presence of the international coalition have ended, as there is no longer a need for the presence of a coalition of 86 countries," he said. "Iraq today is not what it was in 2014. We defeated ISIS through the sacrifices and stance of the Iraqi people, as well as support from the international community and our friends."
Al-Sudani emphasized that "ISIS no longer represents a threat to the state, as Iraq has moved from a period of war to stability. The presence of ISIS as individuals hiding in caves and deserts does not rise to the level of threatening security and stability."
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Last Friday, the Joint Operations Command in Iraq announced the elimination of six top leaders of ISIS during a multi-division operation dubbed 'Lions' Leap', launched on the morning of August 29, 2024, targeting the headquarters and hideouts of ISIS leaders in the Anbar Desert.
The command said in a statement that "after Operation Lions' Leap came three ground operations and airborne troop landings planned and supervised by the Joint Operations Command and executed by the Counter-Terrorism Service, Special Forces unit, and Fifth Division units."
"All these operations achieved significant and substantial outcomes, leading to the killing of most of ISIS's first-line leaders," the statement confirmed.
"We seized weapons, ammunition, logistical and technical materials, computers, phones, and significant criminal evidence, detonated more than ten explosive belts, and controlled a number of explosives, as well as destroyed and burned seven vehicles used by ISIS leaders."
