ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (ICTS) on Tuesday announced the arrest of 11 Islamic State (ISIS) suspects in separate operations across four provinces, including multiple operations in collaboration with Kurdish forces.

As a part of the security forces’ continued effort to track down ISIS remnants in the country, the ICTS said they arrested five alleged members of the militant group in Nineveh province, four in Kirkuk, and at least two were detained in coordination with the Kurdish internal security forces (Asaiysh) in Sulaimani and Salahaddin.

The statement also announced the destruction of several hideouts and tunnels, allegedly used by the group as shelter and meeting points, in operations backed by the Iraqi Air Force. At least 13 suspected hideouts of the group were targeted in Salahaddin in cooperation with Asayish.

Despite being territorially defeated in 2017, ISIS militants continue to pose a security threat in Iraq through sporadic hit-and-run operations and attacks on remote areas. Iraqi forces, in cooperation with Kurdish forces, have intensified their efforts to eliminate these remnants.

Iraqi authorities said Sunday that they have arrested 23 people, allegedly linked to ISIS, over plans to attack pilgrims during the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein in Karbala.

In late July, the ICTS announced the arrest of 10 suspected ISIS militants in operations carried out in Diyala, Kirkuk, Salahaddin, Nineveh, Anbar, and Sulaimani provinces.

Iraqi security forces arrested over 500 terror suspects in 2024, according to data from the Iraqi National Security Service.