Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Tuesday that security forces have killed Jasim al-Mazrouei, the Islamic State’s (IS) commander for Iraq, along with eight other senior leaders, in a major operation in the northern Hamrin mountain range.
The operation, carried out by the Counter-Terrorism and National Security Services, targeted IS hideouts after several months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
In a post on the social media platform X, al-Sudani stated, “There is no place for terrorists in Iraq, and we will pursue and eliminate them until the land of Iraq is cleansed of terrorists and their evil deeds.”
The Security Media Cell, affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, provided further details of the raid. According to their statement, the security forces stormed the IS headquarters in the Hamrin mountain range at dawn on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of nine terrorists, including al-Mazrouei, who was also known as Abu Abdul-Qader.
The statement added that the names and detailed information of the eight other senior IS leaders killed will be announced later, following DNA testing.
During the operation, troops seized large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and equipment, and destroyed eight hideouts, including a significant workshop used for manufacturing explosive devices.
The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of IS in 2017. However, remnants of the group have continued to infiltrate urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out guerrilla attacks against security forces and civilians.
This recent operation marks a significant blow against IS in Iraq, demonstrating the government’s ongoing commitment to eradicating terrorism and restoring stability throughout the country.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
