Asayish Agency Arrests ISIS ‘Emir’ and 21 Operatives in Kurdistan Region

PUKMEDIA

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The Kurdistan Regional Security Agency (Asayish) announced the arrest of a senior Islamic State (ISIS) figure described as the group’s “emir”, along with 21 other members, during security operations in the Kurdistan Region.

According to a statement issued by the Asayish, the the General Directorate of Asayish Operations arrested the ISIS “emir” in Khurmal at 23:20 on 12 September 2026. The operation was carried out with the assistance of the Asayish Directorates of Sulaymaniyah and Halabja.

The agency said that, over the preceding 96 hours, security forces had dismantled two armed ISIS cells and arrested a total of 22 people, including several clandestine members of the group.

A large quantity of weapons and military equipment was seized during the operations, including heavy, medium and light firearms, grenades, military binoculars and ammunition.

According to the Asayish, the arrested suspects were planning to carry out several terrorist acts in mid-September.

The agency said all 22 suspects had been arrested and that investigations were continuing.

It added that gunfire broke out at around 23:20 on 12 September during the operation to arrest the ISIS “emir”. However, the suspect was apprehended and the operation concluded without casualties.

The Asayish said it would disclose the suspects’ confessions and other evidence to the public in the near future, adding that all those arrested were all of Kurdish ethnicity.

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.

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



PUKMEDIA