ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi armed forces have conducted a large-scale security drill in eastern Salahaddin province, aimed at clearing remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS) and preparing for the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections in November, the Iraqi defense ministry announced on Sunday. In a statement posted to its official Facebook page, the ministry said that “the East Salahaddin Operations Command carried out a series of field operations and security missions within its secretary of responsibility, under the supervision of the operations commander and with the participation of [multiple] formations and units affiliated with the Command.” The operation led to “the clearance of a 2,310-meter stretch of road containing remnants of the terrorist [Islamic State] ISIS gangs,” the ministry stated. During the sweep, forces “discovered a hideout containing an [improvised] explosive device, which was an 82mm mortar projectile. It was dealt with and detonated in site by the Command's engineering effort.” The targeted areas lie east of the Tigris River and include strategic and populated zones that witnessed intense fighting during Iraq’s war against ISIS. The extremist group seized large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, declaring a so-called “caliphate.” Although it was territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria by 2019, ISIS remains a persistent threat, carrying out sporadic attacks, kidnappings, and bombings - particularly in the disputed territories between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including parts of Diyala, Kirkuk, Nineveh, and Salahaddin. Importantly, the ministry added on Sunday that the East Salahaddin Operations Command “successfully completed” the first security drill aimed at safeguarding the 2025 parliamentary elections. “This is part of early preparations and planned schemes to ensure the success of the electoral process and to provide a safe and stable environment for voters and the commission,” the statement read. Iraq is scheduled to hold its next parliamentary elections on November 11. Official data shows that 7,768 candidates - representing 31 alliances, 38 political parties, 23 independent campaigns, and 56 quota seat contenders - are competing for 329 seats in the Iraqi parliament.
