“It is not correct to get distracted with election results and forming alliances or fighting over positions from doing what is necessary to destroy the terrorists and provide protection for citizens in all areas and provinces,” Sistani’s representative said in a Friday prayers sermon in the Shi’ite holy city of Karbala.

Though Iraq announced victory over IS militants in December, the group still operates from pockets along the border with Syria and has continued to carry out ambushes, assassinations and bombings across Iraq, NRT reported.

The militants have carried out several attacks against civilians and security forces south of Kirkuk and the provinces of Saladin and Diyala in the past several days.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi directed on Thursday the Counter-Terrorism Service to carry out operations to hunt down terrorist cells by arresting or killing them.

Abadi vowed to defeat the sleeper cells and bring them to justice, according to the statement.

Reporter’s code: 50101