Iraqi Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conduct a training mission over Iraq May 26, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Russ Scalf)
On May 4, the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) targeted a cell of ISIS that was hiding in Wadi al-Chai, a valley in the northern province of Kirkuk.
The Iraqi Security Media Cell said in a statement that the airstrikes were carried out based on information provided by the Military Intelligence Directorate, adding that the entire cell was eliminated and several hideouts were destroyed as a result of the operation.
Video footage released by the cell and the IQAF showed F-16IQ fighter jets attacking the cell’s hideout with 227-kg GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs.
The airstrikes were the most recent in a series of operations by the IQAF and local intelligence services that claimed the lives of dozens of ISIS terrorists in different parts of the country over the last few months.
Two operations were reported last month only. On April 7, two waves of airstrikes hit hideouts of ISIS near Hamrin Lake in the eastern province of Diyala. At least five terrorists were killed in the airstrikes. Later on April 18, a series of airstrikes destroyed several hideouts of the terrorist group in the countryside of Kirkuk. At least four terrorists of ISIS were killed back then.
Iraq announced the defeat of ISIS in 2017. However, the terrorist group’s remnants are still waging an insurgency in the country.
The recent operations demonstrated the Iraqi military ability to operate against ISIS without any support from the United States-led coalition.
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