Islamic State Attack Kills Iraqi Police Officer Near Kirkuk in First Reported Assault Since U.S. Withdrawal

At least one Iraqi federal police officer was killed and four others wounded on Monday, October 5, 2026, when Islamic State militants attacked a federal police site southwest of Kirkuk, two security sources told Reuters. The attackers used semi-automatic machine guns and sniper fire against the federal police regiment stationed near Hawija, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Kirkuk. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but security and army sources said Islamic State militants, who are still active in the area, were involved, according to Reuters.

Reuters described it as the first reported assault by Islamic State militants on Iraqi security forces since U.S. forces completed their withdrawal from Iraq on September 30, ending the military mission there. Washington said it would continue to provide targeted training and intelligence support, while Iraqi forces take full responsibility for security and for suppressing Islamic State remnants. Iraqi security officials told Reuters before the withdrawal that the group retains sleeper cells in Iraq, and the withdrawal had raised concerns that a security vacuum could give it an opening to regain strength, with some officials warning that Iraqi forces would now have to contain the group without the coalition's military presence.

Sources

Reuters via The Times of Israel, Islamic State attack kills Iraqi policeman near Kirkuk, October 5, 2026, timesofisrael.com