Iraq arrests Islamic State’s chief IED engineer in Diyala
Diyala (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi security forces arrested Islamic State’s chief explosives expert in Diyala province, a security source was quoted saying on Thursday.
Alsumaria News quoted the source saying that a security operation in Diyala resulted in the arrest of a the Islamic State’s “IED planting official”, nicknamed “Abu Yassin”, having received intelligence information about his presence at a house in Khanaqin town.
Five companions were arrested along with him, according to the security source, who explained that Abu Yassin was behind several bombings that occurred recently in Diyala .
Islamic State returned to regions on borders between Diyala, Salahuddin: Source
Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State members have returned back to some regions on the borders between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, a security source said on Thursday.
Speaking to AlSumaria News, the source said, “based on available information, the IS cells were watched in some regions at Mutaibija basin on the borders between Diyala and Salahuddin, in the wake of military operation launched few days ago to follow the militants.”
Islamic State’s presence in Mutaibija “will not end without controlling the region. Otherwise, the cells will impose threats to both Diyala and Salahuddin,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added.
Mutaibija has complicated terrain, with numerous hills that serve as a good hideout for militants.
Earlier this week, the Iraqi joint forces, backed by the army jets, carried out a wide-scale military operation to purge regions located between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces.