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.
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.
Abu Jaafar, the head of security for the PMU in Salahuddin province, sat down for an interview with Al-Monitor in his office in the provincial capital of Tikrit on July 6. He said he doesn't "trust the anti-IS international coalition. They have the technology to hit a specific window if they want. And they can’t hit cars in the desert?"
He said the PMU in the area have no direct contact with the coalition, but that they pass on information to the Iraqi government. He said they have often given information to the government on IS positions in the desert, but that no action had followed.
