The attack, which took place on May 23, targeted a group of farmers preparing to harvest their crops near the town of Sami al-Assi in the district of Taza.
According to Iraqi security sources, six farmers were killed in the attack.
- Not only did ISIS terrorists kill the farmers during the attack, they also burned a harvester, a pickup truck and set fire to the crops.
The deadly attack was only one of several attacks by ISIS cells that targeted farmlands in Kirkuk in late May. Amaq shared photos on May 26 showing a similar attack on a farm in the district of Daquq.
ISIS claims that its cells are attacking these farms because they are owned by government supporters or “infidel” farmers. However, Iraqi sources believe that the terrorist group is only targeting the farms of those who refuse to pay Zakat, an Islamic tax, to it cells.
- Iraqi government forces are yet to take measures to protect crops in Kirkuk and other parts of Iraq from ISIS cells. The terrorist groups will likely step up its attacks on farmlands before the end of harvest.
Source: SOUTHFRONT