Iraq arrests Islamic State cell

A group of Islamic State fighters, including an aide to IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, were arrested Monday in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh.

Code-named as “Baghdadi’s Men,” the IS sleeper cell confessed to carrying out several terrorist attacks against foreign embassies and churches in Egypt and Syria, Alghad Press quoted the Iraqi Military Intelligence Directorate as saying in a press statement.

The cell members also admitted that they plotted to carry out similar terrorist attacks against Iraqi civilians and institutions in Nineveh province.

Among those arrested is a senior aide to IS fugitive leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the statement read.

Iraq declared victory over Islamic State in December with the help of a US-led alliance, having retaken all the territory captured by the extremists in 2014 and 2015.

Isolated cells believed to be linked to the Islamic State group remain active in some parts of the country. In recent weeks, suspected Islamic State insurgents have carried out several attacks targeting security forces in Iraq.

Source: Iraqi News