ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Sulaimani’s Asayish forces on Thursday announced they had arrested seven people, including three high profile Islamic State (ISIS) suspects, on terrorism charges.
“Seven suspects, all of whom were wanted by the Iraqi federal government, were arrested as per article 4 of terrorism laws,” read a statement from Sulaimani Asayish forces, adding that the suspects were all from central and southern Iraqi provinces but had tried to hide in the Kurdistan Region under the pretense of “working”.
“After investigation, it was found out that three of the arrested had been ranked Emir within ISIS ranks, and they have all been sent in front of the judiciary,” the statement added.
ISIS seized control of swathes of Iraqi land in 2014. While the group has been devoid of territorial control since 2017, it continues to pose a serious security threat to the country through bombings, hit-and-run attacks, and abductions, particularly in areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad.
Members of the terrorist group have previously used suburban areas of the Kurdistan Region as a way to hide following the group’s territorial defeat.
In August, Sulaimani security forces announced they had arrested 17 suspected ISIS members who had “confessed” to have planned to assassinate prominent clergymen and Peshmerga commanders.
Several alleged ISIS members were killed when an Iraqi airstrike targeted their location in southwestern Erbil province in May.
