Iraq News
Security

Fierce bombing campaign destroys ISIS positions in Makhoul mountains

By Khalid al-Taie

Iraqi security forces heavily deploy in al-Sharqat island in search of 'Islamic State of Iraq and Syria' hideouts and remnants in this photo posted online on October 2nd. [Photo courtesy of the Salaheddine police directorate]

Iraqi security forces heavily deploy in al-Sharqat island in search of 'Islamic State of Iraq and Syria' hideouts and remnants in this photo posted online on October 2nd. [Photo courtesy of the Salaheddine police directorate]

Secret "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) hideouts in the Makhoul mountains have been heavily bombed from the air over the past three days, an Iraqi official in Salaheddine province said Thursday (November 1st).

"Iraqi army and international coalition aircraft have launched strikes on several secret ISIS positions, including burrows and natural tunnels deep in the Makhoul mountain range (in northern Salaheddine)," al-Sharqat district mayor Ali Dawdah told Diyaruna.

"The fierce bombing was based on intelligence from security and tribal forces," he added.

The rugged terrain in that area did not allow the security forces to conduct a ground operation to hunt down the ISIS elements hiding there, he said, adding that "the airstrikes caused great damage to their positions".

"The number of ISIS casualties is yet unknown, as the bombing blocked all hideouts," Dawdah said, but "our information indicates that there were between 20 and 25 terrorists hiding there who probably all died in the attack, and even those who survived would not have been able to get out".

The operation was one of the "most successful and effective attacks," he said, noting that there has not been any unusual activity in the mountains or nearby areas since Wednesday night.

"Terrorists were sneaking out of these mountain burrows at night to wage attacks on the blocking lines that secure the villages south of al-Sharqat (including al-Khanouka and Asdira)," Dawdah said.

The bombing coincided with a large campaign by the Salaheddine Operations Command and the tribal mobilisation forces' 51st Brigade to comb al-Sharqat island for ISIS pockets.

"The joint forces, with the help of Iraqi army and coalition aircraft, have to date killed 10 terrorists who were hiding in rest-houses and tunnels," Dawdah said.

"The troops found in those sites the bodies of ISIS elements and supplies, clothing and other items belonging to them," he added.

"The ongoing security effort has boosted stability in al-Sharqat," he said, noting that 20 ISIS remnants have been arrested in the district over the past two months.

Do you like this article?

0 Comment(s)
Comment Policy * Denotes Required Field 1500 / 1500