“ISIS cannot be eliminated without coordination with the Peshmerga forces due to their geographical knowledge and the exchange of information,” Tamimi said on Tuesday, according to Iraqi media.

His remarks come as ISIS militants have increased attacks against the security forces and civilians in the province, Esta Media Network reported.

Twenty-two members of the Peshmerga forces and three civilians were killed in ISIS attacks in the disputed territories, including Diyala province, last month.

Kurdish officials have long blamed a lack of coordination along a stretch of territory claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil for ISIS’ continued ability to wage deadly attacks.

The Iraqi and Kurdish forces launched joint operations against ISIS militants in Diyala and Kirkuk last month.

They cleared 12 villages and destroyed 14 hideouts of the militant group during the operation in Diyala.

Islamic State controlled roughly a third of Iraq between 2014 and 2017. Iraqi forces and Kurdish troops backed by U.S.-led Coalition forces as well as Shia militias defeated the militant group in 2017, but its members still roam areas of northern Iraq and northeastern Syria.

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