Islamic State transfers Mosul, Raqqa states to Qaim: Paramilitary official

(IraqiNews.com) Islamic State has transferred each of Mosul and the Syrian Raqqa states to Qaim town, in western Anbar, Waradana news website reported on Thursday.

“IS has declared Qaim as a headquarter for its proclaimed caliphate after transferring Mosul and Raqqa states to Qaim, in the wake of Mosul liberation and losing the main regions in Raqqa,” Qutri al-Obeidi, an official from the Shia-led paramilitary troops of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) said.

IS members, according to Obeidi, “announced via speakers in al-Karabla region the news on transferring the caliphate to Qaim.”

The group also urged its suicide attackers to be ready for attacks in regions of Baghdadi, Hit,Haditha, Ramadi and Fallujah.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared on July 19 the victory over IS militants who had held Mosul, the second largest Iraqi city, since 2014. More than 25000 militants were killed throughout the campaign.

Iraqi troops were able to return life back to normal in the biggest cities of Anbar including Fallujah, Ramadi and others after recapturing them. However, Anbar’s western towns of Annah, Qaim and Rawa are still held by the extremist group since 2014, when it emerged to proclaim a self-styled Islamic Caliphate.