Baghdad, Iraq – Iraqi security forces have significantly diminished the presence of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the country, with only a few hundred militants remaining in remote areas, according to Major General Saad Maan, head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell.
Maan stated that between 400 and 600 ISIS militants are still scattered across uninhabitable areas, emphasizing that “[local] communities are rejecting their presence, and no one is harboring them.”
He noted that direct attacks from ISIS have been rare over the past year, with only a handful of improvised explosive device (IED) incidents occurring in non-urban areas. Iraqi forces, he said, have taken a proactive approach, launching nine recent airstrikes targeting ISIS cells.
In mid-February, Iraq’s Security Media Cell reported the elimination of at least two ISIS terrorists in airstrikes near Kirkuk. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation as part of the ongoing Defeat-ISIS campaign, aimed at disrupting and dismantling the group’s capabilities.
Maan highlighted improvements in Iraqi security forces’ operational readiness, particularly in arms, intelligence, and training, which have contributed to preventing ISIS from regrouping and launching further attacks.
Shifting focus, Maan described drug trafficking as “the most widespread crime” in Iraq. He emphasized that Erbil and Baghdad are working together, along with regional neighbors, to counter the growing issue. Iraqi security forces have deployed advanced surveillance technology, including high-tech cameras and drones, to monitor and secure borders.
Maan clarified that most drugs in Iraq are imported, with limited attempts to manufacture substances like crystal meth and Captagon domestically.
A July 2023 study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported a dramatic increase in Captagon trafficking and usage in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. The study revealed a 3,380% surge in Captagon seizures from 2019 to 2023, with over 4.1 tons of tablets confiscated in 2023 alone.
