Iraqi forces arrest four Islamic State members, west of Mosul
Iraqi security forces arrest a suspected fighter with the Islamic State group during a military operation.
In remarks to the semi-official Al-Sabah newspapers, Fathi Khalaf said, “troops managed to arrest four Islamic State leaders after information showed they were hiding inside a house in Rajm Hadid region, west of Mosul.
Security troops, according to Khalaf, “managed to besiege the region and arrest the leaders, including Wali of Badush, Abu Safwan al-Haddad. They were taken to Nineveh Operations Command headquarters for investigations.”
Earlier today, the Interior Ministry said Iraqi security forces arrested the so-called Islamic State (IS) jailer in Sumer district in Mosul’s eastern side.
Thousands of Islamic State militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.
Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against security troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced, in December, full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members. The war against IS has displaced at least five million people.