On May 1, ISIS cells shelled a base of the Iraqi military in the area of al-Zarkah in the northern province of Kirkuk with five mortar rounds.
The terrorist group’s news agency, Amaq, released photos of the mortar attacks, which took place in the early morning hours.
This was the third mortar attack to target Iraqi troops near al-Zarkah this week. The first mortar attack occurred the on the 27th of April.
The second mortar attack on al-Zarkah took place on April 29. On the same day, a suicide bomber attempted to below himself up in the the headquarter of the Directorate of National Security in Kirkuk city.
All three mortar attacks were apparently carried out by the same cell. Amaq’s photos suggest that a 60mm mortar was used in these attacks.
While no human losses were reported as a result of ISIS shelling, these attacks reveal serious security vulnerabilities in Kirkuk. The terrorist cell responsible for the repeated attacks has not been neutralized by the Iraqi military and security forces, so far.