ISIS in Iraq | Weekly Monitor (8–14 June 2026)

Escalation in Agricultural Arson Attacks and Renewed Armed Activity South of Kirkuk

Iraq witnessed continued ISIS-linked activity between 8 and 14 June 2026, characterized by a clear focus on targeting agricultural resources in the provinces of Nineveh, Kirkuk, Diyala, and Salah al-Din, alongside a renewed armed attack against Iraqi security forces south of Kirkuk.

According to monitoring conducted by Syria Monitor – Strategic Research Center, at least 20 security-related incidents were recorded during the reporting period. These included 17 incidents involving the burning of crops and agricultural lands, one vehicle arson attack targeting a Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) member, one fire inside Tal Afar grain silo, and one armed ambush against the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) in the Wadi al-Yarghunat area south of Kirkuk.

Nineveh Province accounted for more than half of the recorded incidents, making it the most affected governorate during the week. Fires targeted agricultural lands belonging to members affiliated with the Shabak PMF, Babylon Brigades, Yazidi PMF units, and other PMF formations, highlighting a continued effort to pressure communities perceived as supportive of security forces.

Additional incidents were recorded in Kirkuk, Diyala, and Salah al-Din, where agricultural lands were set ablaze during the harvest season. This pattern has become increasingly recurrent in recent weeks and appears intended to inflict economic losses on local communities while undermining stability in rural areas.

The most significant security development occurred on 14 June, when Iraqi sources reported that a unit from the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) was ambushed in the Wadi al-Yarghunat area near Bashir, south of Kirkuk, resulting in casualties and prompting requests for coalition air support.

Key Findings

• ISIS continues to rely heavily on economic warfare tactics, particularly through the destruction of agricultural resources.
• Operational activity remained concentrated in Nineveh and Kirkuk, with limited spillover into Diyala and Salah al-Din.
• A significant proportion of targeted lands reportedly belonged to individuals affiliated with PMF formations.
• The ambush south of Kirkuk indicates a renewed willingness by ISIS cells to conduct direct attacks against security forces.
• Rural and agricultural areas remain vulnerable environments that the group continues to exploit for operational activity.

Syria Monitor – Strategic Research Center