Seven Islamic State members killed, arrested near borders with Syria

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Five Islamic State members were killed, while two others were arrested near the border regions between Iraq and Syria, a leader with the mobilization troops in Anbar said on Friday.

Speaking to Almaalomah website, Qutri al-Obeidi, said “security troops of Al-Jazira Operations Command, the army’s seventh division and the border troops, backed by the tribal fighters, carried out an operation against an Islamic State pocket in the desert of Qaim town, on borders with Syria, west of Anbar. The operation left five militants killed, including an Uzbekistani leader.”

The troops, according to Obeidi, “managed to arrest two other militants.” Explosive belts, hand grenades, weapons and medical requirements were found in their possession.

“Troops transferred the arrested ones, under tight measures, to a detention cell for investigations and to question them about places, where other militants are hiding,” Obeidi added.

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 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.

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.