Iraqi security forces successfully executed a precision airstrike targeting an ISIS hideout in the al-Zarka region of Salah al-Din, eliminating three senior leaders, including the so-called Wali of Kirkuk. The operation, carried out with intelligence-driven precision, marks a significant victory in Iraq’s ongoing fight against the terrorist group. Meanwhile, global anti-ISIS efforts continue, with recent U.S. military strikes in Somalia and escalating security concerns in northeast Syria’s al-Hol and Roj camps, where thousands remain detained under dire conditions.
Iraqi Airstrike Eliminates ISIS Leaders in Salah al-Din
Iraq’s Joint Operations Command (JOC) confirmed on Saturday that an airstrike on January 31 successfully targeted a major ISIS hideout in al-Zarka, a key insurgent stronghold between Kirkuk and Salah al-Din provinces. The strike, executed by an Iraqi F-16 jet, resulted in the deaths of seven ISIS operatives, including three senior figures crucial to the group’s activities in northern Iraq.
Among those eliminated was Daham Mohammed Alawi, also known as Abu Saeed al-Dandoushi, the so-called Wali of Kirkuk, who orchestrated numerous terrorist attacks in Wadi al-Shay, the Hamrin Mountains, and Hawija. Also killed were Shahadha Alawi Saleh, known as Abu Isa, an ISIS commander overseeing the Hamrin sector, and Bassem Rabee al-Battoosh, a key operative in the group’s logistics and coordination.
Security officials emphasized that the operation was intelligence-driven, targeting high-ranking members responsible for insurgent operations across disputed territories in Iraq. The JOC highlighted the success of its Targeting Cell in confirming the presence of key ISIS figures before launching the strike. This development significantly weakens ISIS’s operational structure in Iraq, reducing its capacity to launch coordinated attacks.
Global Efforts Against ISIS Expand with U.S. Military Action in Somalia
In addition to Iraq’s counterterrorism operations, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a recent military airstrike in Somalia targeting a senior ISIS attack planner and his recruits. According to Trump’s statement on Truth Social, the operation successfully eliminated key terrorists hiding in caves, posing a direct threat to the United States and its allies.
“Our military has targeted this ISIS attack planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn’t act quickly enough to get the job done. I did!” Trump declared, reaffirming the U.S.’s stance on counterterrorism. The strike destroyed the militants’ hideouts and, according to Trump, avoided civilian casualties.
The U.S. has remained active in counter-ISIS operations beyond the Middle East, conducting strikes in Africa, where ISIS affiliates continue to gain ground. Somalia, a growing hub for extremist activities, has seen increased military action against terrorist groups, including al-Shabaab and ISIS-affiliated factions.
Humanitarian Crisis in Syria’s Al-Hol and Roj Camps Raises Security Concerns
While military operations against ISIS continue, Syria’s al-Hol and Roj camps remain a focal point of humanitarian and security concerns. Tens of thousands of individuals, primarily women and children with alleged ISIS ties, remain detained in dire conditions. Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that recent U.S. funding suspensions for aid organizations operating in these camps are exacerbating the crisis.
HRW called for urgent international intervention, urging governments to repatriate their citizens who are arbitrarily detained in the camps. Hiba Zayadin, HRW’s senior Middle East researcher, stressed that indefinite detention without due process violates international human rights laws and could contribute to future instability.
“The dire situation in these camps should be a central issue in discussions about Syria’s future. Without urgent action, the crisis will only worsen, fueling further regional and global insecurity,” Zayadin stated.
Despite the global call for repatriation, many countries have been reluctant to take back their nationals. While Iraq has repatriated over 10,000 citizens, European nations have largely resisted reintegrating former ISIS affiliates. The French government, for instance, has faced criticism from human rights organizations for failing to repatriate women and children despite legal rulings against its inaction.
Security Challenges in Northeast Syria Following Assad’s Fall
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, Syria’s northeast has experienced escalating hostilities between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The security vacuum has heightened fears of an ISIS resurgence, with SDF officials warning that ongoing conflicts divert resources from securing detention facilities holding thousands of ISIS suspects.
General Abdi Mazloum, commander-in-chief of the SDF, emphasized the urgent need for international support in managing these camps. “Our forces are overstretched, and with increased attacks from Turkish-backed groups, securing these camps has become increasingly difficult,” Mazloum told Sky News.
Currently, about 42,500 individuals are held in al-Hol and Roj camps, with 18,000 of them being foreign nationals from more than 60 countries. The indefinite detention of ISIS-affiliated individuals remains a contentious issue, as many detainees, particularly children, have never faced legal proceedings. Security experts warn that failure to resolve this crisis could lead to radicalization and a resurgence of ISIS activities in the region.
The U.S. recently granted a temporary waiver to allow humanitarian aid to resume in the camps, but officials warn that a long-term solution is needed. The United Nations has urged governments to fulfill their obligations under international law by repatriating their citizens, prosecuting those involved in terrorism, and supporting reintegration programs.
As Iraq, the U.S., and other global players continue their fight against ISIS, the situation in Syria remains a major security challenge. While military operations have significantly weakened the group, unresolved issues surrounding detained ISIS affiliates, ongoing regional conflicts, and humanitarian crises continue to pose serious threats to long-term stability.
