High number of ISIS associates said to be in Iraq

Periskopi

28 July 2017, 19:19(9 years ago)

Security officials in Iraq have said that about 7,000 Islamic State associates continue to remain in this country following the fall of Mosul. In Mosul, the leader of Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdad, had declared their California three years ago. Officials from Intelligence in Iraq have told the Associated Press they are roughly [...]

In Mosul, the leader of Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdad, had declared their California three years ago.

Officials from Intelligence in Iraq have told the Associated Press that there are approximately 4,000 militants and 3,000 supporters who have been employed by the extremist group and paid salaries.

According to them in Syria are 7,000 militants and 5,000 supporters.

Officials have spoken on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to declare themselves before the media.

On July 10th, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abad has declared Mosul's release after nine months of devastating fighting.

A few days later, the commander of forces backed by the US in Syria and Iraq, Stephen Townsend, has stated that the battle in Iraq and the Islamic State is not over.

It has been months reported that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdad has been killed, but intelligence officials in Iraq have told the Associated Press that he is still alive.