The Iraqi Air Force targeted "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) sites in Kirkuk on Thursday (June 15th), killing several of the group's foreign fighters, the Ministry of Defence said.

"Acting on intelligence provided by the General Intelligence and Security Directorate, the Air Force falcons on Thursday night launched several airstrikes on al-Abbasi in the district of al-Hawijah, destroying four ISIS positions," the ministry said in a statement.

"Many ISIS elements -- mostly foreign nationals -- were killed in the airstrikes, and all weapons and ammunition in their possession were damaged," it said.

Additionally, five ISIS elements were arrested in security operations in the province, the Iraqi police in Kirkuk province said Friday.

The suspects were wanted for "serious terrorism-related charges" and three of them had weapons and explosives in their possession when they were arrested, said deputy police chief Brig. Gen. Sarhad Qadir.

The arrests came as part of two separate security operations in the areas of Laylan and Huzayran in central and southern Kirkuk, he told Diyaruna.