The Islamic State steps up attacks to demonstrate new leader’s strength

The recent spike in the Islamic State (IS) attacks in central and northern provinces of Iraq are the group’s struggle to demonstrate the strength of the new leader of IS, said an Iraqi military official.

IS has caused massive casualties and damages to the Iraqi armed forces in the past few weeks through attacks in Salahaddin, Diyala, Kirkuk, and other areas. The jihadist group killed over 40 Shia militias of Hashd al-Shaabi on Saturday alone.

An unnamed Iraqi military official who has spoke to AP believes that the new leader of IS, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, who was named after his predecessor was killed in a US raid late last year, is hoping to consolidate its power and show its strength via the renewed attacks.

Cited in the same report, US-led Global Coalition spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III said the IS attacks were increasing in reaction to operations against its hideouts in the mountains and rural areas of north-central Iraq.

Source: Basnews