By Ali Makram Ghareeb
KIRKUK/ SALADIN, Iraq (AA) - Iraqi security forces on Sunday launched an operation against Daesh/ISIS terrorists in the country's northern provinces of Kirkuk and Saladin.
Ali Huseyin, a lieutenant in Saladin, told Anadolu Agency that the anti-terror operation will last three days to capture Daesh/ISIS terrorists hiding in the rural areas.
The terror group constantly targets the two cities, Huseyin said, and added that the operation seized many weapons and large amount of ammunition so far.
In mid-2014, Daesh/ISIS overran roughly one-third of Iraq, including Mosul.
By late 2017, the Iraqi army -- with the help of the U.S.-led military coalition -- recovered most if not all the territories lost to the terrorist group.
Although officials in Baghdad say Daesh/ISIS presence in the country has been largely eradicated, the terrorist group has continued to stage sporadic attacks in Iraq's Nineveh, Kirkuk, Diyala, Saladin and Anbar provinces.