Attacks spark fears that Iraq's 'liberated areas' aren't free of IS

Islamic State fighters are still launching attacks against Iraq’s security forces in the liberated areas, indicating that there are still some IS enclaves and cells present on the edges of the cities.
Iraqi security forces and Shi'ite paramilitary fighters hold an Islamist State flag, which they pulled down in Tikrit, March 31, 2015. Iraqi troops aided by Shi'ite paramilitaries and Sunni tribal fighters have reached the center of Tikrit after securing the Sunni city's southern and western sections from Islamic State militants, Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said on Tuesday. "Our security forces have reached the center of Tikrit and they have liberated the southern and western sides and they are moving to
Iraqi security forces and Shiite paramilitary fighters in Tikrit hold an Islamic State flag, which they pulled down while recapturing the city, Tikrit, Iraq, March 31, 2015. - REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani
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Mustafa Saadoun
@SaadoonMustafa
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BAGHDAD — Although the Islamic State (IS) lost 50% of the territory it had taken control of since June 10, 2014, some of the group’s members who are still at large have succeeded in launching occasional attacks on security units in the country. Most recently, on Sept. 15, IS launched an attack targeting the Ajeel oil field, east of the city of Tikrit in Salahuddin province.

It seems the Iraqi security units and forces supporting them have not completely cleansed the areas that have been under the control of IS for the past two years, since their liberation. There are still some IS enclaves leading occasional surprise attacks against government forces in control of the liberated areas.

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