Asayish Dismantle ISIS-Affiliated Cell in Kurdistan Region

PUKMEDIA

Kurdistan Region Asayish Agency.

The Asayish in the Kurdistan Region announced on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, the dismantling of a dangerous terrorist group affiliated with ISIS, identified as the “Salman al-Farsi Fifth Battalion”, which was linked to the so-called “Kurdistan Province”.

In a statement received by PUKMEDIA, the General Directorate of Asayish Operations said it had carried out a series of operations in coordination with the Iraqi National Security Service, based on intelligence information and the results of investigations.

The operations, conducted between 8 December 2025 and 9 February 2026, led to the arrest of suspects in Halabja, Said Sadiq, Penjwen, Kalar and Diyala.

According to the statement, the group’s plans included reorganising their ranks and forming terrorist cells, establishing safe houses, and transferring ISIS members from neighbouring countries into the Kurdistan Region and southern Iraq.

The Asayish confirmed that one member of its forces was wounded during the operations. Security forces arrested ten suspects and seized eight weapons, one pistol, two hand grenades, C4 explosives, a scope and a suicide belt.

All detainees are being held on terrorism charges under Article 4 of the Counter-Terrorism Law. Investigations are ongoing to determine all the circumstances surrounding the case.


PUKMEDIA