An ISIS commander has been arrested by Iraqi security forces in Baghdad following an operation to determine the whereabouts of the militant who has been recently granted a high-ranking position in the organization.
The Security Media Cell issued a statement announcing that the Baghdad Security Department set several ambushes that resulted in the arrest of the extremist upon his return from the northern governorates.
The militant has recently assumed a new military position within the terrorist group to plot attacks against during the Arabaeen pilgrimage.
He admitted to leading battles against security services in Kirkuk governorate during fighting to clear Iraqi territories from ISIS militants.
The intelligence unit also announced the arrest of another ISIS terrorist dubbed “sniper of the south”, in coordination with the Kurdish security in Sulaymaniyah province.
The spokesman of the Joint Operations Command, Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji, said in a statement that security forces increased the number of airstrikes, in cooperation with the international coalition.
Khafaji added that coalition forces collaborated with the Iraqi security forces in carrying out the airstrikes and in intelligence gathering.
“The international coalition is a partner in the fight against the terrorist ISIS gangs.”
Despite the strikes against ISIS and the arrest of its most prominent leaders, the organization continues to operate in different parts of Iraq and threaten people in several regions.
The residents of al-Waqf Basin region, in Diyala governorate, warned of a possible new displacement over the resurgence of ISIS cells in their region, after months of stability.
The Mayor of Abu Karma village, Qassem Jumaa al-Rubaie, said that ISIS networks have recently reemerged, and began targeting army and police security checkpoints, causing several causalities.
Rubaie pointed out that most of the farmers in Waqf villages have abandoned their lands fearing explosive devices or terrorists.
Moataz Mohiuddin, Director of the Center of the Republic of Strategic Studies, told Asharq Al-Awsat that ISIS is constantly working to regroup and launch attacks.
He also said that according to US intelligence reports, the organization is trying to ensure financial support and recruit new members.
The group has been able to regain control over several areas by using modern technology in confronting the international coalition and Iraqi forces, concluded Mohiuddin.
