PMFs leader: Islamic State’s Baghdadi no longer endangers Iraq’s security

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) A senior leader from the pro-government paramilitary troops has said that the supreme leader of Islamic State does not pose threat against security of the country.

In remarks to the Russian Sputnik agency, Karim al-Nuri, of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) said that the news on location of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi are contradicting and that no accurate information about his whereabouts are available.

“It’s clear that the case of Baghdadi being alive or dead is not important as the militant group in Iraq has been eliminated. His presence no longer endangers the Iraqi security,” Nuri added.

The Iraqi Interior Ministry’s Falcon Intelligence Cell’s chief Ali al-Basri said in a statement on Monday that Baghdadi was seriously wounded during an operation in July and that his health condition does not allow him to be the leader as before. He barely moves without help.

Last week, news reports mentioned that Baghdadi is included in a new list of 60 persons sought by Iraqi security authorities for terrorism-related charges.

The Russian agency Sputnik quoted, in January, several experts in Islamist groups affairs as saying that Baghdadi is likely to be in Africa, being the safest place at the meantime for the militant group.

In October, Pentagon said it believes Baghdadi was still alive.