Iraqi security forces on Sunday (June 27) launched a large-scale operation against the terrorist organization Daesh in Kirkuk, northern Iraq after an Iraqi policeman was killed and two others were injured in an attack.

Armed men staged an armed attack on a federal police checkpoint in Riyadh district, southwest of Kirkuk, the officer said on condition of anonymity because of restrictions on speaking to the media.

The attackers fled the scene unscathed, the officer said, blaming Daesh for the attack.

Iraqi authorities have yet to confirm the attack, which came one day after the killing of five policemen in a bomb attack targeting their vehicle in Kirkuk on Saturday.

The Iraqi army continues to carry out frequent operations against the group in these parts where the group has recently 2020 mobilized its sleeper cells in rural areas.

Last month, the country’s army conducted a large-scale military operation against Daesh/ISIS militants in the northern areas of Salahuddin province after an Iraqi army officer was killed in a bomb explosion in Tuz Khurmatu district in the same province.

Daesh have in recent months escalated their attacks, especially in the area between Kirkuk, Salahuddin, and Diyala, known as the Triangle of Death.

In June 2014, Daesh captured Mosul, Salahuddin, and Anbar provinces and parts of Diyala and Kirkuk, which have been recaptured from the group in late 2017 by the Iraqi forces with support from a US-led coalition.

In 2017, Iraq declared victory over Daesh/ISIS by reclaiming all territories the terrorist group controlled since the summer of 2014, which was estimated to be about a third of the country’s territory.

The group, however, still maintains sleeper cells in large areas in Iraq and launches attacks.