Security forces conducted the raid on the basis of intelligence information, a source told Iraqi state TV on Tuesday. During the raid, forces killed 14 members of ISIS, among them head of the network Abu Anas al-Iraqi.
Iraq has boosted its forces in the area to counter the threat of ISIS.
Convoys from the Federal Police were deployed to the outskirts of Kirkuk, a security source in Baghdad told Iraq’s al-Sumaria news on Monday.
The source who did not want to be named said, "The forces have been sent in preparation for a military operation to pursue members of the ISIS terrorist organization."
Amid growing fears of a return of ISIS, Kurdish leaders have been clamouring for the return of the Peshmerga to Kirkuk since they pulled out last October in the face of Iraqi advances, claiming they are being kept out by an anti-Kurdish plot.
“Some political and Arab parties want to capitalize on the existence of Iraqi forces in Kirkuk to implement their own political agenda. And this falls within the parameters of Arab-Turkish nationalist project. But we will counter any plot against the Kurds in Kirkuk. A joint operations office should be established between the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces,” Khalid Shwani, a PUK leadership member, told Rudaw.
Kirkuk is in the heart of the disputed areas, claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad and also home to a Turkmen minority. It has a history of civil unrest.
The Arab Council in the city does not want to see the Peshmerga return.
“I believe the addition of any force would complicate the problem further. Turkmen and Arab parties along with their supporters reject the return of these forces. Forces other than federal forces will not be accepted,” council spokesperson Atam Taae told Rudaw.
Federal forces are currently providing security in Kirkuk city.
Kurdish leaders have raised the issue of Kirkuk’s security in meetings with US military officials, hoping the Americans will help to negotiate a return of the Kurds.
The spokesperson for Iraq’s joint operations command, however, insisted that the decision rests with the military and Baghdad.
“The question of working with and reaching an agreement with Peshmerga forces will be decided by military commanders and the Iraqi government,” Brigadier General Yahya Rasul told Rudaw.
“What is important for us is that we will not allow terrorists to return to these places and carry out terrorist activities. In this regard, we are prepared to have every coordination with Peshmerga forces. But a final decision on these matters is vested with commanders and Iraqi federal government.”
