ERBIL — Fresh US forces have been stationed in the suburb of Tuz Khurmatu district, south of Kirkuk in the recent days, said a local source.

The mission of the new US deployment is not yet clear, but they have carried out multiple rocket attacks on the Mount Hanjira in the region.

Islamic State (IS) sleeper cells are believed to be active in the mountainous area.

The source, who wished to remain anonymous, told BasNews that the area is under the control of Shi’ite militias of Hashd al-Shaabi, who have decreased the number of their fighters since the arrival of the US deployment.

Bas News