Islamic State leader, three companions arrested in operation in Diyala
Iraqi security forces launch a major operation to stem out IS cells
In a statement, the command said, “security force of the intelligence department and the counter-terrorism troops, managed to arrest a militant who used to work as Emir of vigilantism (Hisbah) department.”
Three of his companions, according to the statement, were also arrested during a security operation carried out in al-Tabj region, east of the province.
In remarks to Alghad Press, Maj. Gen. Faisal al-Abadi, commander of Diyala province, said “the militant used to be in charge of Hisbah in Hawija, before being in charge of transferring the militants and suicide attackers to across Diyala.”
On Tuesday, Diyala Operations Command said troops managed to arrest a leader from Islamic State’s so-called Kirkuk State, while he was attempting to sneak via the borders of the province through Jabbara region, northeast of Diyala.
The group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.
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.