By Ali Mukarrem Garip

KIRKUK, Iraq 

Daesh terrorists executed a civilian and a member of the Iraqi security forces in this northern province, local police said on Tuesday.

The victims were kidnapped from villages in the south of the province, with the civilian allegedly providing Iraqi authorities with intelligence on the region, according to a police spokesman. The security officer was executed by gunfire.

Last year, officials in Baghdad declared Daesh's military presence in Iraq all but dismantled because of operations backed by the U.S.-led International alliance.

From time to time, however, Iraqi officials announce operations against Daesh-affiliated "sleeper cells" in certain parts of the country.