Kirkuk is a disputed province which both the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi central government claim jurisdiction over.
In an interview with VOA, Westa Rasul, the former commander of the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces on the Kirkuk axis, said that ISIS elements had been re-organized in Iraq and are now capable of carrying out terrorist attacks in the areas around Kirkuk.
The military adviser to the co-chairs of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan noted that ISIS does not seem to be able to attack the city of Kirkuk at the moment, because Kirkuk is a big city and it is difficult to attack.
He predicted that ISIS had identified some areas around Kirkuk as the target of future attacks, and that ISIS elements were more likely to attack Hawija, Debs and Daquq.
Mr. Rasul also stated that ISIS elements move freely in these areas and easily enter the villages to access their food and necessities, and that a large number of ISIS elements are present in Hamrin.
Westa Rasul said that ISIS has changed the composition of its forces around Kirkuk and has appointed new people to replace its former commanders in these areas.
In recent days, Iraqi and Peshmerga forces have been on high alert to counter ISIS threats around Kirkuk.
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