The chief of staff of the Iraqi army in Kirkuk prepare for a special operation against ISIS

Shafaq News / The Iraqi Army's Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Othman Al-Ghanimi arrived Sunday to Kirkuk Province, in conjunction with the tense situation in the disputed province, following the escalation of ISIS attacks.

A security official told Shafaq News that Al-Ghanmi met the security leaders in Kirkuk to study an expected operation by the Iraqi army and the popular mobilization forces towards the southern areas of the province, especially the outskirts of Daquq and southwestern areas towards Hawija.

In recent weeks, attacks by suspected ISIS militants have increased, particularly in the rugged region between Kirkuk, Salahuddin and Diyala provinces, known as the "Triangle of Death".

This caused the Iraqi army forces, backed by the Popular Mobilization and warplanes, to launch an operation targeting ISIS hideouts in Kirkuk at the mid of current month.