Booby-trapped Islamic State flag wounds Iraqi Kurdish security members

At least two members of the Kurdish security forces were wounded on Saturday by an explosion near Bardarash village, southeast of Sulaimani city, in Iraqi Kurdistan Region, official said.

A senior official in Said Sadiq said the explosion occurred when members of the Asayish (Kurdish security) tried to remove the Islamic State (ISIS) flag that had been raised in a field outside the village.

The incident took place between Penjwen and Said Sadiq on the highway.

Local residents claimed that they had seen the flag attached to a small pole and called the security forces to report it. Shortly afterwards, the Asayis arrived.

A bomb exploded (see the video published on social media) as a member of the Asayish dug into the ground underneath the flagpole.

The district of Said Sadiq is far from the areas in which ISIS militants have been active in recent years. The militant group remains active in the disputed areas, particularly in the provinces of Nineveh, Diyala and Kirkuk.

Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s security forces have been instrumental in the fight against ISIS, freeing vast areas from the insurgent group. During the fighting, at least 1,700 Peshmerga (Kurdish militias) were killed and nearly 10,000 others were injured.

Security forces of Iraqi Kurdistan Region continue to be actively involved in counter-ISIS operations, particularly in areas around Khanaqin in Diyala governorate.

Source: Ekurd Daily