Iraqi security authorities are confident that the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group will not be able to disrupt Iraq’s parliamentary elections on Sunday.
The Islamic State no longer poses a threat, according to Tahsin al-Khafaji, a spokesman for the joint military command, who told dpa in Baghdad on Thursday.
“We can defend citizens and polling places,” al-Khafaji stated.
“On Sunday, Iraqis will elect a new parliament, the second such election since the government announced a military victory over Islamic State nearly four years ago.
“For the parliamentary elections, a strong detachment of security troops will be deployed.”
“More than 250,000 troops will be mobilized, according to military leadership, to protect the vote and enable access to the more than 8,000 voting centers.
“Islamic State will attempt to obstruct the election process, but it will fail.”
After military defeats in Iraq and Syria, the terrorist force has been weakened.
Extremist cells are still active and carry out attacks on a daily basis.