ISIL was celebrating the graduation of a group of members in a military course when Iraqi counter terrorism service backed by the global coalition against ISIL bombed Makhmour Mountains, said a senior commander of ISIL captured in the operation “Lion-Prepared” launched for two weeks.
Islamic State in Iraq and Levant ISIL commanders of Makhmour, sniper brigade, the security unit and their personal guards were among those killed in the operation, said Hussam Abdullah Mohamed Hilal al-Jibouri whom survived the airstrike and handed himself over to Iraqi counter terrorism service CTS.
Hussam was a resident of Zab sub-district of Hawija district, west of Kirkuk, an anonymous source in Hawija told KirkukNow. “He was promising people that ISIL will conquer Rome, liberate Jerusalem, the Caliphate to prevail in Europe and he will fight to death,” the source added.
“He was promising people that ISIL will conquer Rome, liberate Jerusalem, the Caliphate to prevail in Europe and he will fight to death,” the source added.
Makhmour district, located about 60 kilometers southwest of Erbil yet under control of Iraqi federal government, consists of three subdistricts and 40 villages yet only 4 are still inhabited, figures from local administrations show.
SInce the fall of the Ba’th regime in 2003 until October 2017, Makhmour, part of the disputed areas, was under the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government KRG. In 2017, Iraqi security forces took over disputed territories following the claimed defeat of ISIL. Most of Makhmour villages located in areas between the KRG and the federal government, a security gap where ISIL fighters are regrouping.
Hussam questioned by Iraqi CTS. Footage by CTS.
Husam used to work as car mechanic with his brothers since 1990s up to August 2014 when ISIL took over Zab sub-district of Hawija district, 45 km west of Kirkuk, and nearly one third of Iraq territories. “Most of his family members joined the terrorist organizations from 2004,” the source added.
“They (he and his family members) pledged allegiance to Daesh publicly and they were carrying out assasinations and car bombing and participated in IS clashes in Ziwiya, attacks on Kirkuk and Beji refinery and occupation of Makhmour,” he added.
“They (he and his family members) pledged allegiance to Daesh publicly and they were carrying out assasinations and car bombing and participated in ISL clashes in Ziwiya, attacks on Kirkuk and Beji refinery and occupation of Makhmour,” he added.
“They were arresting people, taking their properties and looting houses.” The source says Husam was hiding in Makhmuor Mount since 2018.
CTS said in a statement the operation Lion-Prepared since March 9th, resulted in murder of 29 ISIL fighters, and many others were dumped under rocks of the mountain. 312 air strikes were carried out by the Iraqi and international coalition jets, destructing 120 hideout and caves. The operation was in cooperation with Iraqi security forces and the Peshmarga, Kurdish fighters, it added.
The coalition jets conducted another 18 precision airstrikes pummeling 39 Daesh dwellings in the far Qarachogh MTN, tweeted OIR spokesman col Wayne Marotto a week
End of January, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service and coalition forces conducted an operation against ISIS militants at Mount Qarachokh, located south of the district. According to the Iraqi forces, clashes took place for 24 hours, in which 25 ISIS militants and two US soldiers were killed.
