SHEIKH BZAINI, Iraq — Villagers in Kirkuk province are fearful of Islamic State (ISIS) remnants who roam around the area.
Dashti Star returned to his village of Darmanaw following the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, but has left for good after ISIS militants broke into his home.
“My children standing here had seen the militants. They screamed,” he said.
“One of the militants showed up over there, so I took my family and left. The next day, I came back to take my livestock and I noticed they had stolen two blankets. I heard my dogs barking at them…I have four dogs. None of them have returned for the past two days,” he told Rudaw.
Although ISIS was declared defeated in Iraq in December 2017, remnants of the terror group remain active, particularly in areas disputed between Baghdad and Erbil.
Sheikh Bzaini has been targeted by ISIS before. Three men were killed by suspected ISIS militants earlier this month.
A raid was launched on Sunday to target militants in the area.
“I have discovered some of their bunkers. I do not think they will be able to escape from us. But it requires effort,” said Peshmerga commander Aso Sur.
“We need assistance from the locals. They should not consider leaving. We are here to protect them,” he added.
But some locals remain fearful of ISIS activity at night.
“We stand guard through the night...there is no other solution. If we do not carry arms, we will not be able to live,” said farmer Kamaran Ali.
“We need the support of an armed force. If there is none, we will not be able to continue our life here.”
Translation by Zhelwan Z. Wali
