IS militants exploit political unrest in Iraq to rise again
Islamic State sleeper cells use the protests’ crisis to their advantage to operate in Iraqi cities.
As protests in Iraq maintain momentum, the Islamic State (IS) has been carrying out more frequent attacks in multiple parts of the country. An IS suicide bomber in a car killed four members of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) in Samarra in Salahuddin province and attacked Dibis district in Kirkuk province Dec. 10.
IS also tried Dec. 10 to target the border camera surveillance system between Salahuddin and Diyala. As a preemptive measure, the Iraqi army has begun pursuing IS members in the northern parts of the country.
A statement on the PMU website said Dec. 2 that four of its members were killed in an IS attack in Diyala province. On Nov. 16, the PMU mentioned having aborted IS moves aimed at bringing parts of Kirkuk under IS control.
In light of the turmoil caused by the demonstrations and political instability following Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s resignation amid popular pressure, the Kurdish presidency warned against mounting IS threats. It perceived Dec. 5 that an IS attack on a peshmerga forces brigade in Khanaqin district is proof of the threat IS poses to stability and security in the region.
