IS militants use donkeys for movements, smuggling money from Hawija

Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militants have begun using donkeys as a new method for movements and smuggling money from Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk, to borders between Diyala and Salahuddin, a local source said on Tuesday.

Speaking to Alghad Press on Tuesday, the source said, “IS militants in Hawija began using donkeys as method for movements to reach border regions that stretch out to Diyala and Salahuddin provinces including Hamreen mountains.

“Several militants and leaders carrying bags full of smuggled money infiltrated from Hawija to the other regions using donkeys,” the source added. “They took advantage of the donkeys’ ability to move across mountainous areas without making sounds like cars or motorbikes.”

“Available information shows that the leaders who sneaked from Hawija to borders between Diyala and Salahuddin with money in their possession over the past 48 hours exceed 12, using 11 donkeys,” the source added.

Hawija and other neighboring regions, west of Kirkuk, have been held by IS since mid-2014, when the group emerged to proclaim an Islamic “caliphate” in Iraq and Syria. The group executed dozens of civilians and security members there, forcing thousands to flee homes.

Earlier this week, further reinforcements from the Federal Police were sent from Baghdad to the town, as the military command declared last week, the end of operations in Tal Afar, the militants’ last haven west of Nineveh, and the approach of the launch of offensives for Hawija.