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Early on September 2, terrorists believed to be members of ISIS attacked the town of Shahel in the northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk.
The terrorists attempted to storm the town. However, they were faced with fierce resistance from armed locals, who managed to repel the attack.
“The town’s locals clashed with machine guns with the attackers, which led to the death of a civilian and the injury of seven others, while the losses of the attackers remain unknown,” a Lieutenant in Kirkuk Police told the Anadolu Agency.
According to the officer, the Iraqi Federal Police sent reinforcements to the town to support the locals. However, they were targeted with an improvised explosive device and sustained material losses.
ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the Shahel attack, yet. However, the terrorist group claimed responsibility for another attack which also took place in Kirkuk on the same day.
The attack targeted a position of the Iraqi Federal Police near the town of Arsim Darb. ISIS terrorists destroyed a thermal surveillance camera that was installed in the position, but didn’t manage to inflict any casualties.
ISIS cells in Kirkuk have been fairly active recently. On August 30, the terrorists stormed the town of al-Dukshman al-Kabirah after clashing with a unit of the pro-government Tribal Mobilization Units. The terrorists burned down a house and five vehicles. They also sabotaged agricultural equipment.
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Iraqi government forces launch operations against ISIS cells in Kirkuk on a regular basis. Yet, the terrorist group is not slowing down its operations in the province.