ISIS Lone Wolf tactics exploit fragile security in Iraq’s liberated governorates
Shafaq News/ The security situation in some ofIraq’s liberated governorates, specifically Diyala, Saladin, Kirkuk, andNineveh, remains fragile. This instability has provided an opening for remnantsof ISIS to attempt to revive their violent activities, using tactics such as"lone wolf" attacks. Despite military officials in Iraq declaringthat ISIS is no longer capable of mounting large-scale operations, isolatedelements of the group are still exploiting security gaps, hoping to regain afoothold.
Senior Military Confidence vs. Lingering Threat
Iraqi military officials maintain that ISIS isno longer a major threat. They argue that the group, which once controlled vastterritories in Iraq, has been reduced to isolated remnants hiding in remoteareas.
According to senior military sources, ISIS lacksthe capability to revive itself. "What remains of ISIS is just a fewindividuals in hiding," officials state, with the country's intelligenceservices actively targeting these militants through specialized operations.
Two Terrorist Plots Foiled in Kirkuk
The role of intelligence and swift action bysecurity forces has proven in preventing attacks. Arshad al-Salihi, head of theHuman Rights Committee in Iraq’s Parliament and a representative from Kirkuk,told Shafaq News that the country's security agencies successfully foiled aterrorist plot on the night of the incident in Kirkuk. "The security andintelligence forces, with the help of the Falcons Cell, managed to thwart aterrorist attack yesterday in the Banja Ali neighborhood, killing the terroristsinvolved," al-Salihi said.
He stressed the importance of continuedvigilance, explaining that over the past two weeks, security forces havemanaged to prevent two separate ISIS terrorist plots in Kirkuk. "Quickresponse and sharp intelligence have been key in stopping these attacks beforethey could be carried out," he added.
Recent Arrests and Security Gaps
A security source in Kirkuk also revealed thatten days ago, the National Security Service, in coordination with theCounter-Terrorism Service in Al-Sulaymaniyah, uncovered another ISIS plot."Intelligence confirmed that two individuals were hiding in the Si Kanyanneighborhood," the source said. One of the suspects was arrested, whilethe other committed suicide when cornered by security forces. A third member ofthe cell was later apprehended by Al-Sulaymaniyah's counter-terrorism units,further disrupting the ISIS network.
ISIS Exploiting Security Gaps in Northern Iraq
Despite claims by Iraqi military officials thatISIS is largely neutralized, security experts believe the group continues toexploit specific weak points in the country’s defense apparatus.
Security analyst and Iraqi army officer MahmoudAbdul Jabbar told Shafaq News that “ISIS has been active in areas where thereare security gaps, particularly between Kirkuk, Saladin, and Diyala, as well asthe border area between Kirkuk and Erbil, specifically in Dibis district andAltun Kupri.”
Abdul Jabbar pointed to a recent securityoperation in Kirkuk, about ten days ago, which took place in the predominantlyChristian Si Kanyan neighborhood. The operation resulted in injuries to fourmembers of the National Security Service, underscoring the ongoing risks tosecurity personnel.
The operation was part of a broader effort byIraq’s Falcons Cell to neutralize two militants who were carrying explosivebelts. The militants were riding a motorcycle and transporting a significantamount of food, possibly for delivery to affiliated groups or as a means ofdisguise. "The militants were intercepted before they could carry outtheir attack, thanks to the vigilance of security forces," Abdul Jabbarsaid.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry Confirms Engagement inKirkuk
On the night of the incident, Iraq’s Ministry ofInterior, through its spokesman Brigadier General Miqdad Miri, confirmed thattwo terrorists were pursued and cornered in Kirkuk’s Banija Ali area. Mirinoted that “the terrorists were armed with explosive belts, which detonatedwhen security forces opened fire, killing both militants on the spot.”
ISIS "Lone Wolf" Tactics PosePersistent Threat
Sheikh Salem al-Bayati, a tribal leader fromSaladin, described how ISIS has adopted new strategies, particularly the use of"lone wolf" attacks, as it seeks to avoid large-scale confrontationswith Iraqi security forces. "ISIS is using areas like Zarqa, on theoutskirts of Tuz Khurmatu, Hawi al-Buheira near Amerli, and other remotelocations in Diyala and Saladin," al-Bayati said.
"These militants are operating on thefringes, and they are using tactics like improvised explosive devices (IEDs)and small, isolated attacks, which have long been hallmarks of ISISstrategy."
Al-Bayati called for urgent operations to rootout ISIS cells and emphasized the need for close coordination between Iraq'snational security forces and the military units from the Kurdistan Region toneutralize the threat. He warned that “ISIS’s use of "lone wolf"tactics remains a serious concern, particularly as the group continues toexploit Iraq’s security gaps, putting civilians and security personnel atrisk.”
