Islamic State sets three headquarters on fire in southwestern Kirkuk
Representational photo.
“IS set three of its main headquarters in al-Riyad, Kirkuk, on fire with all of the documents on several departments including the security and soldiers ones,” the source told AlSumaria News on Sunday.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source added, “The burning of IS headquarters was made swiftly which indicates the chaotic situation within the group as well as its attempt to hide many facts about the militants identities and their actions since they took control on the region in 2014.”
Earlier on the day, the Iraqi joint troops announced retaking 28 villages as part of operations to clear Hawija.
On Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and the Joint Operations Command announced beginning of the second phase of Hawija offensive.
According to Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell, 557 IS militants were killed, while more than 100 villages and regions were liberated during the first phase, which launched earlier this month and was concluded on Sunday.
Hawija and other neighboring regions, west of Kirkuk, have been held by IS since mid-2014, when the group emerged to proclaim an Islamic “caliphate” in Iraq and Syria.