Iraq’s security situation has been relatively stable despite ongoing plots by ISIS terrorist organization to create chaos, most recently by booby trapping animals, especially cows.
At the height of its power, ISIS had suicide bombers and a membership from different generations. But it is no longer capable of making new recruitments after its defeat in Iraq in late 2017.
Despite its territorial losses, the terrorist organization remains barricaded in various mountainous and desert areas of western governorates, namely Diyala, Kirkuk, al-Anbar, Saladin, and Nineveh.
However, no one expected that ISIS would resort to animals to carry out attacks. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, al-Qaeda used animals in its operations before it was defeated by the Awakening Council, the tribal organization established by the US in al-Anbar.
In Diyala province, 65 km northeast of Baghdad, residents of al-Islah village of Jalawla district were recently targeted by two booby-trapped cows, which injured one citizen.
Security forces in the governorate launched an operation on the outskirts of the village to pursue ISIS remnants.
Director of the Center of the Republic for Strategic Studies Moataz Mohiuddin told Asharq Al-Awsat that security forces had in the past been targeted by booby-trapped animals and dead individuals across Iraq.
Mohiuddin said ISIS has resorted to such a technique after failing to approach large crowds due to tight security measures and close coordination between residents and police to thwart possible attacks.
He also expressed concern over ISIS plots to pour poisonous material in rivers, a technique that it had previously relied on in areas in Mosul and Samarra.
