On Friday, February 10, ISIS forces targeted Kurdish Peshmerga in the southwest of Kirkuk. Simultaneously, clashes occurred in other parts of Iraq, and explosions in Kirkuk, Baghdad, Ramadi, and Samarra resulted in at least 27 deaths. Kurdish military officials in Iraq told Reuters that their forces repelled ISIS attacks across a front spanning 1,000 kilometers. These attacks coincided with the killing of General Shirko Fatih, a senior Kurdish commander, by Islamist militants. The assaults on the oil-rich Kirkuk region caused oil prices to rise to $49 per barrel. Reuters reported that ISIS militants generally engaged with Iraqi security forces and Shiite militias in the south and west of the country, but attacks on Kirkuk, which is under Peshmerga control, were less frequent. Kirkuk police stated that ISIS forces attacked Peshmerga positions in four locations using mortars and also detonated a car bomb in a hotel in the city center while engaging with Peshmerga forces. Hemen Horami, a senior official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iraq, tweeted that 45 ISIS fighters and 7 Peshmerga were killed in Kirkuk. These claims have not been confirmed or denied by Iraqi officials. Meanwhile, the U.S. military announced that a person named 'Abu Malik,' identified as an expert in chemical weapons for ISIS, was killed in airstrikes near Mosul, Iraq. According to the U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in the West and Central Asia, Abu Malik previously worked for Saddam Hussein's regime and joined Al-Qaeda in 2005. The statement indicated that his death is expected to temporarily hinder ISIS's potential capabilities for producing and possibly using chemical weapons against civilians.
Kurdish Peshmerga Forces Targeted by ISIS in Various Locations in Iraq
ISIS launched attacks on Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Kirkuk, resulting in significant casualties and increased oil prices. The U.S. also reported the death of a key ISIS chemical weapons expert. These developments highlight the ongoing instability in Iraq and the persistent threat posed by ISIS.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
ISIS launched coordinated attacks against Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Kirkuk, resulting in multiple casualties and increased oil prices. The U.S. also reported the death of a key ISIS figure involved in chemical weapons.
- At least 27 people were killed in various attacks across Iraq, including 7 Peshmerga.
- Oil prices rose to $49 per barrel following the attacks in the oil-rich Kirkuk region.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iraq has faced ongoing challenges from ISIS since its rise in 2014, with various groups vying for control and influence in the region. The Kurdish Peshmerga have been key in fighting against ISIS but face ongoing threats.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%