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IS remains a threat in Iraqi desert, tribal villages

Popular Mobilization Units are conducting regular patrols in the Iraqi desert to prevent activity by Islamic State sleeper cells.
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SINIYAH, Iraq — On the desert road west of the Iraqi city of Beiji, the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) conducting patrols in the area say freshly planted improvised explosive devices and Islamic State (IS) sleeper cells still pose significant risks, despite improved security.

However, "It’s simply too vast of an area" for outposts, said Ahmed al-Debi, head of the PMU Waleed al-Kaaba.

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