Iraq is tightening security in its sensitive Kirkuk region. The Iraqi government appears to be concerned about ISIS threats in and around Kirkuk and Hawija.
These threats appear to have increased in the last few months. US forces withdrew from Iraq on September 30 as part of a deal between Baghdad and Washington. The US had been in Iraq with the anti-ISIS coalition. With the coalition now largely ending its role, the Iraqis have to step up.
On November 5, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS), the country’s elite counterterrorism force, said it captured “a notorious suspect from ISIS gangs in Kirkuk.”
The ICTS put out a statement to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA). It reported that according to the ICTS, “As part of its ongoing efforts to pursue the remnants of the terrorist ISIS gangs and track down their members, the heroes of the Counter-Terrorism Service have succeeded in capturing a suspect in Kirkuk Governorate.”
ICTS: Arrest carried out based on prior arrest warrant
“The arrest was carried out based on a prior arrest warrant issued against him by the investigative judge responsible for Counter-Terrorism Service cases, and the necessary legal procedures have been taken in his regard,” the report said.
Precision raids will continue, the ICTS was quoted as saying, and it will “pursue the remnants of the terrorist ISIS gangs, thereby strengthening security and stability and safeguarding the safety of citizens.”
Turkish support for Iraqi border security
Meanwhile, Turkey appears to be pleased with Iraq’s new border security. This matters. Turkey has interests in Kirkuk and the city of Tal Afar.
“The Turkish Defense Ministry welcomed, on Thursday, Iraq’s reinforcement of outposts and observation posts along the border while affirming the continuation of security cooperation,” the INA noted.
“We continue our security cooperation,” the Turkish Defense Ministry said, reaffirming its approval of Iraq’s crackdown.
Turkey has been assisting and supporting Iraq. The US Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, is also the US envoy to Syria and Iraq. As such, it makes sense that Turkey backs Iraq, while the US works to support stability in Iraq and Syria. These countries are all linked. Historically, they are linked as well.
“Turkey continues to cooperate with Iraq in the fields of defense and security,” the Turkish Defense Ministry stressed.
Iraq is facing other challenges. The government said it recently detained three members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) at Latifiyah, south of Baghdad.
They were transporting 35 rockets of an unidentified type and two pistols, a security source told Shafaq News on Friday. This is concerning because the PMF has used 107mm and 122mm Iranian rockets in the past to target US diplomatic and military facilities.
In another development, Turkey has praised the possible reopening of the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline from Iraq to Syria. This is yet another reason for Iraq to keep Kirkuk secure.