Prominent ISIS leader neutralized before suicide attack in Kirkuk

Shafaq News/ On Friday, a security source disclosed the identity of the suicide bomber who was killed by security forces before he could enter a restaurant and detonate himself. The bomber was a prominent ISIS leader and the head of its security operations in the Daqouq district, south of Kirkuk.

The source informed Shafaq News Agency that "the killed bomber, identified as (A.H.M), was from the village of Al-Zaji (Al-Khasha) within the boundaries of Wadi Al-Shay in Daqouq district. He was the security head for ISIS in Daqouq and had worked with the organization for years, eventually rising to the position of head of its security operations in Daqouq."

The source added that "security forces had been tracking the terrorist for some time and intended to capture him. However, after cornering him, they killed him before he could detonate himself at Al-Zaytouna restaurant on the Daqouq-Tuz Khurmatu road (45 km south of Kirkuk)."

Earlier today, a security source informed Shafaq News Agency, “The First Battalion, 87th Commando Brigade of the Iraqi Army, acted on intelligence indicating a suicide bomber’s intent to target the area. The forces swiftly surrounded the attacker’s location, preventing his escape.”

The Iraqi Security Service confirmed the operation in a statement, highlighting the collaboration between the Counter-Terrorism Unit, the Kirkuk Security Directorate, and the Tactical Battalion. “Based on precise intelligence and judicial authorization, the terrorist was neutralized before he could carry out his attack,” the statement said.