Sulaymaniyah Asayish, Iraq’s CTS Neutralise Three Terrorists in Kirkuk

INA

CTS personnel on a mission.

The General Directorate of Security (Asayish) Operations, in coordination with Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), announced on Sunday, 29 June 2025, the killing of the commander of the Suleiman Beg sector along with two of his terrorist collaborators during a direct confrontation in Kirkuk Province.

In a statement obtained by PUKMEDIA, the Asayish Operations Directorate confirmed that, following extensive intelligence gathering, surveillance, and the issuance of a judicial warrant, a joint security operation with Iraq's CTS was conducted in the Palkana and Tawerkawa areas of Kirkuk.

According to the statement, the operation led to a direct engagement with the militants, resulting in the elimination of three individuals:

-Ayman George Ahmed al-Obeidi, known as “Adam”, the commander of the Suleiman Beg sector.

-Hussein Ali Khalaf Habib al-Mafraji, nicknamed “Abu Adhra”, a fighter within the terrorist group.

-Yaqoub, known as “Abu Jaban al-Irani”, who served as a decapitator and transporter for the militants.

The statement added that several militant hideouts and dens were also destroyed during the operation.

Iraq's CTS also announced that three terrorists were killed in the Palkana Mountains in Kirkuk Province during a joint operation conducted in coordination with the Sulaymaniyah Security Directorate (Asayish).

Lieutenant General Karim al-Tamimi, head of the CTS, stated: "A CTS unit successfully eliminated three terrorists today in the Palkana Mountains, including the commander of the Sulaiman Beg sector and a militant known as Abu Musa al-Ash'ari."

He added that the operation was based on precise intelligence, carried out after obtaining judicial authorisation and in full coordination with the Sulaymaniyah Asayish.

ISIS captured large parts of Iraq in 2014 and declared a self-styled “caliphate,” leading to widespread violence and mass displacement. Although Iraq declared victory over the group in 2017, ISIS remnants remain active, particularly in disputed territories between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

These areas—including parts of Kirkuk, Nineveh, Diyala, and Saladin provinces—continue to face threats from ISIS elements who engage in ambushes, kidnappings, and extortion targeting both civilians and security personnel.

Iraqi and Kurdish security forces regularly carry out joint operations aimed at eradicating these remaining terrorist networks.



PUKMEDIA