Iraqi air force on Wednesday announced the destruction of an underground tunnel reportedly used by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group militants on Hamrin mountain near the city of Kirkuk.
"A tunnel on the Hamrin mountain range was destroyed in an air strike by the Iraqi Air Force overnight. The strike was carried out in close coordination with the military intelligence agency," Iraqi News Agency reported today, citing a statement from security sources.
Meanwhile, Iraqi air force destroyed an Islamic State hideout on Hamrin mountain yesterday too, and killed a number of militants in an operation outside the city of Kirkuk.
Iraq continues to face persistent security issues presented by Islamic State militants, especially in the disputed Kurdish territories. These extremists frequently find shelter in natural hiding spots like caves, foliage, and marshes, effectively merging into the rural scenery.
Their primary attention within Iraq is directed toward disputed territories, where they've exploited security vulnerabilities resulting from the 2017 takeover of these areas by the pro-Iran Hashd al-Shaabi militia.