Baghdadi says IS foreigners free to leave or carry out suicide attacks
Representational photo.
A local source in Nineveh told Alsumaria News Monday that Baghdadi had ordered to close the group’s so-called “troops and migrants bureau”, giving on-Iraqi militant the freedom to choose between returning to their countries or to commit suicide attacks against advancing security forces and, in that case, be rewarded with “72 heaven maids”, as the source put it.
Iraqi government forces, backed by a aircraft and advisers from a US-led military coalition, launched two weeks ago the second phase of a major campaign that started in October to retake Mosul from IS militants. Since then, reports have been recurrent about divisions, infighting and accusations of treason among the group’s leaderships.
Iraqi military and police commanders have said recently they became in control over 90 percent of the eastern region of Mosul, and hope to move onwards to the west, where IS still maintains outstanding strongholds, and where Baghdadi is widely believed to shelter.
On Saturday, Iraqi troops recaptured Mosul University campus, the most remarkable IS stronghold in eastern Mosul.