Iraq News Now

Shafaq News/ In a region long marred by instability, the road linkingKirkuk and Tikrit, particularly the stretch through Zaghaiton Valley inAl-Rashad, southwest of Kirkuk, has become infamous as the "Road of NoReturn."

Defined by its rugged terrain of mountains, hills, and valleys, thisarea has been a hotspot for terrorist activity since the 2003 US invasion ofIraq. Over the years, it has witnessed frequent bombings, attacks, kidnappings,and looting, becoming a symbol of the region's ongoing struggle withinsurgency.

Recently, Iraqi forces conducted a targeted security operation aimed atdismantling a terrorist cell entrenched in the Hamrin Mountains and ZarkaValley and to cleanse the area of insurgent activities and restore peace andstability.

Zaghaiton Valley: A Terrorist Stronghold

Stretching into the Hamrin mountain range and connecting to the Daqouqdistrict south of Kirkuk, the Valley is notorious for its rugged terrain anddense terrorist activity. Often referred to as the "Valley of Death,"it has historically been a stronghold for various extremist groups, includingAnsar al-Sunna, the Naqshbandi Army, and al-Qaeda, which later evolved intoISIS.

The Valley's significant water bodies, particularly in winter, alongwith valleys covered in grass and reeds and connected mountain ranges, providea haven for these groups, making it difficult for security forces to operateeffectively.

To counter these threats, the Iraqi military frequently deploys F-16jets for airstrikes on terrorist hideouts within the Valley.

Al-Zarka Valley: Another Bastion of Terror

Al-Zarka Valley, linking the districts of Daqouq and Tuz Khurmatu andextending to Al-Azim area, is another critical stronghold for ISIS. Known forits challenging terrain and dense forests, the Valley is primarily air-accessible.As a vital waterway connecting the governorates of Kirkuk, Saladin, and Diyala,it serves as a secure refuge for terrorist groups, remaining beyond the reachof ground forces.

Renewed Activity Along the Border Strip

The border strip between Kirkuk and Erbil, particularly in the areas ofDibis district and the Mamah mountains, has recently witnessed renewed ISISactivity. These regions, known for their complex terrain, often see movementsof ISIS militants, necessitating continuous surveillance by security forces,including airstrikes using "Cessna" aircraft to target the group'shideouts.

The Iraqi Joint Operations Command recently announced precise airstrikestargeting three ISIS hideouts in eastern Saladin. These strikes, based onaccurate intelligence, resulted in the destruction of the hideouts and theelimination of their occupants, including a prominent leader known as "AbuTalha al-Iraqi." Security sources indicate that these areas were used toharbor terrorist elements and plan attacks against security forces andcivilians.

Border Strip Shelters: A Persistent Threat

Amerli District Kaimakam, Maytham Nouri, informed Shafaq News Agencythat remaining ISIS militants are hiding in water-filled hideouts in al-Zarkaand along the border strip on the outskirts of Saladin. "These militantsoccasionally target security forces and civilians, taking advantage of thearea's challenging terrain and wetlands, which are difficult for ground forcesto access." Nouri emphasized the importance of airstrikes in eliminatingthe remnants of these terrorist elements.

He noted that "while these ISIS remnants do not pose a significantthreat, their elimination would further solidify security in the area."

Former Iraqi Army officer and security expert Brigadier General Maanal-Azzawi explained that intelligence units recently detected suspiciousmovements in a slope west of the Hamrin Hills, northeast of Diyala, near theSaladin governorate border. Following intensified surveillance and intelligencegathering, an ISIS cell consisting of three militants was identified andtargeted in a direct airstrike, killing all three, including "Abu Talhaal-Iraqi," a prominent ISIS leader.

Al-Azzawi confirmed that this was the sixth airstrike in the Diyalasector this year, aimed at ISIS shelters and mobile units, known as "lonewolves."

"The Iraqi Air Force's F-16 squadron successfully destroyed over 15ISIS locations across Diyala, Saladin, and Kirkuk." He said.

The Terrorist Goldmine

Ghaidan al-Obaidi, a tribal leader from the Rashad district, explainedthat Zaghaiton Valley was once a stronghold for ISIS and continues to harborremnants of the defeated group. "These weakened groups still pose a threatto nearby areas and must be eradicated through targeted airstrikes."

Al-Obaidi emphasized that Zagheton Valley was a "goldmine" forISIS, where they conducted kidnappings and robberies to fund their activitiesbefore the group formally emerged in 2014. He called for deeper militaryoperations in these areas to dismantle remaining ISIS pockets.

In turn, security expert Ali al-Bayati highlighted the importance oftargeting these "safe havens" that terrorists consider immune to airand ground assaults due to the difficult terrain. He emphasized that "Iraqiairstrikes play a critical role in disrupting ISIS's ability to carry outattacks on vulnerable areas, often with support from Global Coalitionintelligence, including satellite and drone surveillance."

Al-Bayati concluded that the combination of airstrikes and groundintelligence has severely crippled ISIS's ability to regroup, marking adecisive phase in the fight against the terrorist organization. "The destructionof their safe havens and the paralysis of their operations make it increasinglydifficult for ISIS to pose a significant threat, setting the stage for a final,decisive phase of military operations."