On the eve of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington, Iraqi forces, backed by the US-led coalition, launched a series of operations targeting “Islamic State” (ISIS) positions. Although the group’s presence has significantly declined since its military defeat in Iraq nearly a decade ago, its remnants continue to exploit unstable environments and may attempt to rebuild their ranks and capabilities by capitalizing on new dynamics, including the transfer of 5,700 ISIS detainees to Iraq.
