At least one Iraqi federal police officer was killed and four others wounded on Monday after ISIS militants attacked a federal police position southwest of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, according to security sources.
The attack targeted a federal police regiment stationed near Hawija, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Kirkuk. The militants reportedly used semi-automatic machine guns and sniper fire during the assault.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. However, security and military sources said ISIS militants, who remain active in the area, were believed to have carried out the attack.
First ISIS Attack Since US Withdrawal
The assault is the first reported attack by ISIS militants against Iraqi security forces since US troops completed their withdrawal from Iraq on September 30, bringing the US military mission in the country to an end.
The United States had led an international coalition supporting Iraqi forces in the fight against ISIS, including efforts to prevent the group from rebuilding its capabilities.
Washington has said it will continue providing targeted training and intelligence support following the withdrawal, while Iraqi forces will assume full responsibility for the country’s security and for confronting remaining ISIS cells.
ISIS Remains Active
Although ISIS lost its self-declared territorial caliphate nearly a decade ago, the group continues to maintain sleeper cells in parts of Iraq.
The US withdrawal had raised concerns among Iraqi officials that the absence of coalition forces could create a security gap that ISIS might exploit to rebuild its strength.
Iraqi security forces now face the task of containing the group’s remaining cells and preventing them from carrying out further attacks without the coalition’s previous military presence.
