Iraqi forces arrest senior ISIS member responsible for spoils-of-war

Iraq’s security announced on Wednesday the arrest of a senior Islamic State member at the head of the jihadist group’s department in charge of “spoils-of-war.”

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraq’s security announced on Wednesday the arrest of a senior Islamic State member at the head of the jihadist group’s department in charge of “spoils-of-war.”

The man was identified as al-Makna Abu Shaher and was arrested by Iraqi federal police forces in 1 Huzayran area, in the disputed province of Kirkuk, according to the Interior Ministry’s statement.

Former senior ISIS member al-Makna Abu Shaher was responsible for distributing “spoils-of-war.” (Photo: Iraq's Ministry of Interior)
Former senior ISIS member al-Makna Abu Shaher was responsible for distributing “spoils-of-war.” (Photo: Iraq's Ministry of Interior)

The fighter used to operate for the Islamic State in Kirkuk’s southwestern Riyadh district, the statement added.

He is now being referred to judicial authorities to complete the investigation over his involvement with the group.

Iraqi forces occasionally arrest members of the terror group in liberated areas of the country, notably those the Islamic State had previously occupied.

On Tuesday, police forces announced they had detained five fighters of the Islamic State in the western part of Mosul.

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The group emerged in Mosul in mid-2014 and soon expanded to the provinces of Salahuddin, Anbar, Diyala, and Kirkuk.

Iraq declared military victory against the Islamic State in late 2017, but the group continues to launch insurgency attacks, ambushes, and kidnappings in the country. Officials from the Kurdistan Region and Iraq have repeatedly warned of a possible resurgence of the terrorist group in the country.

Editing by Nadia Riva