Iraqi forces have launched intensive operations to pursue remnants of the Islamic State [IS] group across several parts of the country, in a strategy aimed at dismantling the group's hideouts and potential movements.
The campaign comes as US combat forces begin withdrawing from their bases in Iraq under a strategic agreement between the two countries, a step that increases the responsibility of Iraqi troops to secure the field while bracing for possible fallout.
IS fighters are still present in Nineveh, Diyala, Salah al-Din and Anbar provinces, as well as locations between Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah.
The group has taken advantage of rugged terrain in mountainous areas, though Iraqi warplanes regularly strike its supply lines.
A senior army command source, who spoke to The New Arab's sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on condition of anonymity, said the situation was "under control".
"We anticipate that remnants of the group may try to make some moves, which is why the current strategy is based on intensive sweeping and pursuit operations," he said, adding that the approach relies primarily on intelligence, with daily movements guided by information received.
On Saturday, Iraqi forces were carrying out operations in the southern al-Shay Valley in Kirkuk province with air support, the source said.
Another unit was combing the northern approaches of the Makhoul Mountains in Salah al-Din province, north of Baghdad.
"The forces are working to secure rugged terrain that contains caves and hideouts. These operations will end IS's presence in those areas," he added.
A spokesman for the Iraqi security forces' Media Cell, Saad Maan, said on Thursday that the "terrorist threat" in Iraq was "almost negligible" and that there were no real dangers on the ground.
Lieutenant Colonel Ali al-Jubouri from Kirkuk Operations Command said the sweeps in parts of the province were "precautionary moves" designed to pre-empt any possible IS activity.
"Iraqi forces fully control the field situation, and there are no real concerns about remnants of the group, which has lost the ability to move and carry out attacks," he told TNA's Arabic edition.
IS was territorially defeated in Iraq by late 2017, but remnants have persisted, exploiting mountains, valleys, and desert borderlands. Iraqi forces have stepped up operations in provinces once held by IS to prevent the extremist group's movements.
The army command recently estimated that the number of militants still inside Iraq was less than 400. They remain in remote, difficult terrain but are "under surveillance", security authorities said.