Islamic State steps up attacks in Iraq during coronavirus lockdown
The Islamic State launched numerous attacks in Iraq's disputed territories in April amid a lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Iraq has been hit by a wave of Islamic State (IS) attacks during the country’s coronavirus lockdown.
Numerous operations by IS and unknown groups have occurred in Iraq’s disputed territories in April. Iraqi security forces and the US-led anti-IS coalition have also attacked the group several times this month. One journalist in the disputed city of Kirkuk said the uptick began after the government imposed a curfew March 17 to fight the spread of the virus.
“The state of emergency consisted of a long-term curfew in the city and outskirts. That led to an increase of IS activities,” journalist Dana Mahmoud told Al-Monitor.
Authorities implemented a lockdown in March to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. The lockdown has remained in effect through April, when the string of attacks occurred. The Iraqi government has now eased some aspects of the lockdown.
