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Syrian intelligence arrests a senior ISIS leader, Abu al-Harith al-Iraqi, responsible for attack planning and recruitment
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Syrian intelligence forces arrested Abu al-Harith al-Iraqi, a senior Iraqi commander of the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allaharound with every other sentence, but to hear western pols talk they're not reallyMoslems.... (ISIS), in Damascus on Saturday, marking a major breakthrough in counterterrorism efforts against the group’s underground networks. According to a security source, al-Iraqi played a key role in ISIS operations in Iraq and Syria, overseeing foreign recruitment and managing logistical support for terrorist attacks. His capture comes as Syrian authorities intensify operations against ISIS sleeper cells operating in government-controlled areas. KEY ISIS FIGURE BEHIND ASSASSINATIONS AND ATTACKS The Syrian security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that al-Iraqi was deeply involved in orchestrating attacks, including the liquidation of former ISIS leader Maisar al-Jubouri, who had defected from the group. "Al-Iraqi held a crucial role in planning and executing operations," the source said. "He was responsible for organizing assassinations and large-scale attacks, including a foiled plot to bomb the Sayyed ...Arabic term meaning your/his lordship. Groveling in His Exalted Presence is encouraged... a Zainab shrine near Damascus." The Sayyida Zainab shrine, a highly symbolic religious site, has been a frequent target of jihadist groups due to its significance for Shiite Moslems. Security agencies claim the arrest of al-Iraqi disrupted an active ISIS cell that had been preparing for an attack in the area. COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS INTENSIFY The arrest is part of an ongoing security crackdown against ISIS remnants, who have maintained a presence in Syria despite losing their territorial control in 2019. The group continues to operate through covert cells, launching sporadic attacks in both regime-held areas and regions under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In recent months, Syrian security forces have arrested multiple ISIS operatives accused of planning attacks on infrastructure, military convoys, and high-profile targets. Intelligence reports indicate that ISIS is attempting to rebuild networks by infiltrating local communities, using tactics such as bribery and extortion to regain influence. REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS The capture of al-Iraqi has drawn attention from regional security analysts, who view it as a significant step in dismantling ISIS’s ability to conduct high-profile attacks in Syria and beyond. While Syrian intelligence has not disclosed details about where al-Iraqi was hiding, sources suggest he may have been operating under a false identity before being tracked down through a months-long surveillance operation. The arrest also comes as the U.S.-led coalition continues ... KABOOM!... s against ISIS hideouts in eastern Syria, particularly in Deir ez-Zor and the Badia desert, where the group has been attempting to regroup. WHAT’S NEXT? The Syrian government has yet to announce whether al-Iraqi will face trial in Syria or be extradited to Iraq, where he is wanted for multiple terror-related crimes. Experts say his arrest could lead to valuable intelligence on ISIS’s underground networks, potentially aiding future operations against terrorist cells in both Syria and Iraq. Posted by: Fred 2025-02-16 |
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