KIRKUK, Iraq: Daesh militants killed at least 25 people including a localSunni tribal sheikh in two separate attacks late on Sunday in Iraq’snorthern provinces of Mosul and Kirkuk, police and local officials said.In a village near the Sunni town of Shirqat, south of Mosul, militantsstormed the house of a tribal sheikh who led a Sunni militia that hadfought against the militants, killing him, his son and two guests, policesources said.Daesh, which had seized control of much of northern Iraq in 2014, lostShirqat to US-backed Iraqi security forces supported by Sunni tribalfighters in 2016. However, a small number of militants are still operatingin the area and are capable of launching sporadic attacks, securityofficials said.In the town of Nijana, south of the oil city of Kirkuk, five members of onefamily were killed by militants who set up a fake security checkpoint on amain road. The family were Shiite Turkmens — a father who is an Iraqisoldier, his pregnant wife, his two children and his brother-in-law.Local police said their five charred corpses were found inside theburned-out car, after the militants fled the scene. Two police officersaccused Daesh militants of carrying out the attack.Another passer-by was also killed inside his car during the attack, saidpolice sources.Iraqi security forces launched an operation last month to consolidatecontrol of the Hamrin mountain range near Kirkuk, intended to be used as atransit route for Iraqi oil trucks heading for Iran.Security officials say two groups of insurgents are known to be operatingin the area — one formed by remnants of Daesh, the other, known as the“White Banners,” new and little known.Iraq declared victory in December over Daesh, which had seized control ofnearly a third of the country in 2014. However, the group continues tocarry out attacks and bombings in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq.