Kurdistan Asayish Dismantles ISIS Cell, Arrests 22 Suspects

PUKMEDIA

Asayish's logo.

The Kurdistan Region’s Security Agency (Asayish) has announced the dismantling of armed cell affiliated with ISIS’s so-called Kurdistan Wilaya and the arrest of 22 members of the group.

According to statement by the Asayish, the arrests were conducted following intelligence gathering and investigations conducted over 96 hours, from 8 to 12 September 2026, and based on an order issued by an Asayish investigative judge.

The 22 arrests were carried out in coordination with the Halabja's Asayish Directorate across Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, Penjwen, Khurmal and Sirwan, the statement said.

According to the Asayish Agency, the suspects were members of Battalion 5 of ISIS’s so-called Kurdistan Wilaya and had been planning to:

- Reorganise the group and renew members’ pledges of allegiance.
- Plant and detonate explosives in Halabja Governorate.
- Monitor security forces and open fire on them during training exercises involving heavy and medium weapons.
- Establish an “emirate” in the Hawraman or Sharazoor areas.
- Establish links between ISIS sleeper cells in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and militants abroad.
- Raise funds to purchase weapons.

During the operation, the security forces seized a quantity of weapons and military equipment, including:

- One RPG launcher, three rockets and five propellant charges.
- One mortar shell.
- Six hand grenades.
- Six Kalashnikov rifles, 13 magazines and 300 rounds of ammunition.
- Two pistols and 100 rounds of ammunition.
- One surveillance camera.
- Military binoculars, clothing and other equipment.

The suspects were detained under Article 2 of the Counter-Terrorism Law, while investigations into the case remain ongoing.

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.



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