Baghdad: ISIS mufti killed in late-night Anbar attack

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Iraqi Ministry of Defense has announced that a late-night attack by Iraqi forces killed an ISIS leader described as a mufti, or judge, in the extremist-run Sharia court in Anbar province along with dozens of the group’s militants, according to a statement released on Wednesday.

“A force of the Anbar Operations Command with the help of Iraqi jets conducted attacks against ISIS bases in areas east of the town Ramadi including Albu Alwan, Albu Shajil and eastern Hasbia, killing 24 extremists and wounding 36 others beside destroying 12 weapons depots,” read the statement.

The statement said a separate military campaign against ISIS elements in the town of Hasbia discovered a huge weapons depot containing light and heavy weapons and anti-aircraft missiles. The weapons cache was destroyed along with 30 militants who were defending it, according to the statement.

Iraqi fighter jets with the help of intelligence information were reportedly responsible for the death of the ISIS mufti.

The Islamic State group seized control of the city of Ramadi on May 17, sending Iraqi forces racing out of the city in a major loss despite the support of US-led airstrikes targeting the extremists. Since then, clashes have been frequent in the province as Iraqi forces prepare to a campaign to retake the area.