IS destroyed more than 100 Iraqi villages in 4 years

Militants belonging to the so-called Islamic State (IS) destroyed at least 116 villages in Iraq's Kirkuk province in the last three years.

Kirkuk's governor Rakan Saed told Anadolu news agency that the terror group destroyed the villages surrounding Kirkuk between 2014 and 2017. He also expressed concerns that thousands of villagers were still living in tents.

Saed also said that the villages did not have electricity, water, sewage systems, education and health services.

"The villagers cannot return to their homes. It seems impossible for residents to return to the infrastructure that was totally destroyed is reconstructed. For reconstruction, definitely, there is a need for the state's support," added Saed.

In October last year, Iraqi forces captured Kirkuk's Hawija district, located 45-km west of Kirkuk city, which was considered as one of the terrorist group's last strongholds in northern Iraq.

In December, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that Iraq had been 'totally liberated' from the dreaded militant group.

The IS, recently, lost power and suffered a string of major defeats both in Iraq and Syria after security forces recaptured the areas back from them.