9 Islamic State militants arrested in Sulaymaniyah: Security center
Islamic State militants
Sulaymaniyah (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi authorities announced on Tuesday that nine members of Islamic State group were arrested during a security operation in Sulaymaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
“Acting upon accurate intelligence reports, a special force of the Counter-Terrorism Service arrested nine IS members implicated in murdering civilians, forcing citizens to leave homes and fighting against security forces.
“The arrest was made in the Kurdish city of Sulaymaniyah,” the center said, adding that coordination was made with the bodies concerned to transfer the arrestees to a detention center in Kirkuk for interrogation.
The Islamic State group appeared on the international scene in 2014 when it seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, declaring the establishment of an Islamic “caliphate” from Mosul city.
Later on, the group has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings, prompting the U.S. to lead an international coalition to destroy it.
In December 2017, former Iraqi prime minister Haidar al-Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members. However, security reports still warn that the militant group still poses a threat against stability in the country.
The jihadist group had imposed its rule over some 10 million people.