Source: 40% of Islamic State militants remained in Mosul

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Fort percent of Islamic State fighters have not left the Iraqi city of Mosul, their former capital, even after the government declared victory over the group, a security source was quoted saying on Wednesday.

Iraqi website Alghad Press quoted the source saying that “those elements are most probably of the lower ranks, and largely belong to Mosul and surrounding areas”. He added that “those dropped arms and mingled with locals, but some are immediately arrested once reports are received proving they had taken part in criminal activities in the past”.

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.Security authorities regularly declare the arrest of remnant militant cells linked with the group.

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.