Iraqi troops arrest two prominent Islamic State leaders in Diyala

Two prominent Islamic State (IS) leaders were separately arrested Monday in Diyala governorate, east of Iraq, a military commander was quoted as saying.

Commander of Diyala Operations Lieutenant General Mizher al-Azzawi told Alghad Press that a key Islamic State leader was apprehended in a military operation in Buhriz town, south of Diyala, with two M16 firearms in his possession.

“Another IS leader was arrested after counter-terrorism forces raided an arms depot of the extremist group at al-Thalab valley in northeastern the governorate,” Azzawi explained.

The pair were transferred to the authorities concerned to interrogate them, according to Azzawi.

On Sunday, an Iraqi police chief announced the arrest of a prominent Islamic State warlord during a raid at al-Entesar district in Mosul’s eastern side. The so-called IS emir was identified as Ibrahim Mesha’al Hassan Marei.

Last December, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared final victory over Islamic State three years after the militant group captured about a third of Iraq’s territory.

Despite the group’s crushing defeat at its main havens across Iraq, Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks against troops with security reports warning that the militant group still poses a threat against stability in the country.

Source: Iraqi News