Islamic State military commander arrested in Iraq’s Mosul
Representational photo.
Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi police arrested on Wednesday an Islamic State military commander in the eastern side of Mosul, the group’s former capital in Iraq.
Hamad al-Jubouri, head of Nineveh Province police, told Anadolu Agency that troops, using intelligence tips arrested Taha Mohamed Salama, an Islamic State member who was in charge of the group’s mortar launchers.
Jubouri said the arrested militant had an arrest warrant previously issued for him.
Iraq declared victory over Islamic State militants in December 2017, ending a three-year military campaign against the group to retake areas they had occupied to proclaim a self-styled “caliphate”. But the group has carried out several attacks against security and civilians since then.
Mosul was Islamic State’s capital and base of operations in Iraq. It was from its Grand Nuri Mosque thart IS founder, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, proclaimed the group’s rule. Iraqi forces recaptured the city last July after an operation that lasted for more than eight months.