Exclusive: Asayish Reveals Details of One of Its Most Intricate Operations

PUKMEDIA

Asayish personnel during the operation.

A special operation carried out by the General Directorate of Security (Asayish) Operations, following extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance, resulted in the killing of several terrorists in the Tuz Khurmatu district of Saladin, as well as in the Palkana and Twerka areas of Kirkuk. Among those neutralised was a terrorists implicated in the killing of multiple Peshmergas.

According to a statement released by the Kurdistan Region’s Security Agency (Asayish), the General Directorate of Security Operations, in coordination with Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), launched the joint mission on 29 June 2025, after locating the hideouts of the three wanted individuals in the Palkana and Twerka areas.

In an exclusive statement to PUKMEDIA, a security source within the Asayish said: "In a significant and highly sensitive operation, three terrorists were eliminated. One of them was Abu Jaban al-Kurdi (also known as Jaban Irani), who was responsible for the execution of prisoners of war and was involved in multiple crimes against both the Peshmerga forces and Kurds."

The source added: "This operation delivered a substantial blow to the terrorist network. The entire mission was conducted under the direct supervision of Sarkhel Kamal, Director of the Security Operations Directorate, and an operations room was established specifically for this purpose."

According to the source, multiple teams had been monitoring the terrorists for over two months across the areas of Tuz Khurmatu, Zinana, Palkana and Twerkawa.

"For dozens of nights, the special operations teams remained hidden in the plains and fields of the area, closely tracking terrorist movements. This made the operation one of the most delicate and effective undertakings in the realm of intelligence, security and military coordination," the source said.

He continued: "In addition, the targeted areas were placed under continuous surveillance for 48 consecutive days and nights. On the day of the operation, due to the complex terrain and sensitivity of the mission, our forces trekked for more than 12 hours before successfully executing the plan with precision."

The source confirmed that during a direct engagement, the commander of the Suleiman Beg sector and two other militants were killed.

The terrorists killed were identified as:

-Ayman George Ahmed al-Obeidi, known as “Adam”, the commander of the Suleiman Beg sector.

-Hussein Ali Khalaf Habib al-Mafraji, nicknamed “Abu Adhra”, a fighter within the terrorist group.

-Yaqoub, known as “Abu Jaban al-Irani”, who served as a decapitator and transporter for the terrorists.

The Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organisation captured large parts of Iraq in 2014 and declared a self-styled “caliphate,” leading to widespread violence and mass displacement. Although Iraq declared victory over the group in 2017, ISIS remnants remain active, particularly in disputed territories between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

These areas—including parts of Kirkuk, Nineveh, Diyala, and Saladin provinces—continue to face threats from ISIS elements who engage in ambushes, kidnappings, and extortion targeting both civilians and security personnel.

Iraqi and Kurdish security forces regularly carry out joint operations aimed at eradicating these remaining terrorist networks.



PUKMEDIA