Four Islamic State leaders arrested in Diyala, Kirkuk: Federal Police

Diyala (IraqiNews.com) Four Islamic State leaders were arrested in two operations in Diyala and Kirkuk provinces, the Iraqi Federal Police said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, chief of Federal Police, said “Abu Hajar al-Jabouri, an Islamic State leader in the so-called Diyala State, was arrested along with his aide Kamal al-Rufa’iy, in an operation.”

Two other militants were arrested in Hawija, it added. “The militants were Ghazi Miran and Ahmed al-Jabal.” It has been confirmed that they took part in several terrorist operations, in addition to working for Hisbah (vigilantism) department.”

On Sunday, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, chief of Federal Police, said five-member Islamic State cell was arrested in Kirkuk. Last week, the police managed to arrest the militant group’s judge in Tal al-Zahab region, southwest of the province.

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.

Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country. The group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.