Iraqi intelligence captured ISIS sleeper cells in a central Baghdad operation

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense (MOD) on Tuesday announced the arrest of a “secret terrorist cell” they claimed belonged to the Islamic State (IS) in an ambush in central Baghdad.

The MOD’s Directorate of Military Intelligence in a statement noted that its members were able to “penetrate and dismantle” the group made up of “three terrorists.”

The men constitute “the nucleus of a terrorist cell,” the statement explained.

One of the men was arrested in the al-Dora district, south of the capital.

According to the statement, using the first detainee, “the others were lured into an ambush in the al-Mansour district in central Baghdad.”

The directorate said that the two were arrested with a warrant issued using the anti-terrorism law.

The operation comes as top security officials warn that the jihadist organization continues to spread terror with the help of its sleeper cells.

Reports indicate IS activity continues to grow, with regular insurgency-style attacks, ambushes, bombings, and kidnappings taking place in liberated and disputed areas despite Baghdad declaring final victory against the extremist group over a year ago.

Source: Kurdistan 24