KIRKUK, Turkey

Iraqi security forces killed two Daesh/ISIS terrorists in the northern Kirkuk province, a police official said on Sunday.

Kirkuk Police Chief Ali Kamal told Anadolu Agency that the operation targeted terrorists in the rural area of Riyad town.

He went on to say that the terror group has recently attempted to disturb peace in southern towns and villages of Kirkuk and Iraqi authorities launched a large-scale inspection in the area to prevent malignant plans of terrorists.

In mid-2014, Daesh/ISIS overran roughly one-third of Iraq, including the northern city of Mosul.

By late 2017, the Iraqi army -- with the help of the U.S.-led military coalition -- recovered most if not all the territories lost to the terrorist group.

Although officials in Baghdad say Daesh/ISIS presence in the country has been largely eradicated, the terrorist group has continued to stage sporadic attacks in Iraq's Nineveh, Kirkuk, Diyala, Saladin and Anbar provinces.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas