The five Iraqi provinces that were liberated from the ISIS held an expanded security meeting on Tuesday to address the remaining pockets of the terrorist group in the country.
The meeting included acting Kirkuk Governor Rakan al-Jabouri, Nineveh Governor Naufal al-Aaqoub, Diyala Governor Muthana al-Tamimi, Salaheddine Governor Ammar Jabr al-Jabbouri and Anbar Governor Ali Farhan and was chaired by Chief of Staff Othman al-Ghanemi.
The talks focused on drafting plans to restore stability in the liberated regions and bolster security coordination with neighboring provinces.
Several observers have underlined the dangerous security challenges in the liberated provinces, recognizing that ISIS was still a threat there.
Security expert Saeed al-Jayashi said: “The military challenges in these provinces have been resolved. What remains are small ISIS pockets that every now and then, carry out assassinations and bombings.”
He stressed to Asharq Al-Awsat the importance of holding meetings between local authorities and liberated provinces in order to permanently eliminate the ISIS threat.
He underlined to that end the role that can be played by civilian groups and local authorities to resolve the people’s social problems.
Spokesman for the Salaheddine elders council Marwan Jabara warned that security challenges persist in liberated provinces, noting significant gang activity there.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Tuesday’s security meeting “did not yield any new results and was limited to routine talks.”
“The current security challenges are a result of political failure,” he stressed.
He also spoke of the failure to invest in the rapprochement between the civilians and security forces and the authorities’ failure to properly address the people’s concerns.
He explained that reconstructing destroyed areas and allowing the displaced to return to their homes will necessitate restoring security and stability.
Meanwhile, security forces in Kirkuk detected the location of a terrorist group that includes nine ISIS members, who are wanted by the authorities.
The group, which was hiding in the Sulaymaniyah province, was arrested in an operation that was coordinated with the security forces in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
