Islamic State leader planned for operations against security troops arrested in Anbar

An Islamic State leader has been arrested in an ambush set up in west of Anbar province, the Iraqi Security Media Center said on Sunday.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Yahia Rasool, the spokesperson for the center, said military intelligence managed to trap a dangerous Islamic State leader after setting up an ambush. He was arrested in al-Tarabsha region in Ramadi.

The militant, according to Rasool, “is one of the militants who planned and carried out several terrorist operations that targeted security troops and civilians.”

Thousands of Islamic State militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced, in December, full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.

Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.

A total of 76 people were killed and 129 others were injured due to acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflicts during the month of June, casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Source: Iraqi News