15-03-2025
Commander-in-Chief Spokesman: Preparing a new strategy to eliminate Daesh remnants
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah Al-Numan, confirmed on Saturday that the security services possess a complete and detailed information base on the remaining Daesh terrorist gangs.
"The security forces and their intelligence agencies possess a complete information base and detailed data on the remaining Daesh terrorist gangs, especially first- and second-level leaders," said Al-Numan in a statement to the Iraqi News Agency - INA.
Al-Numan added, "Under the directives of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammed S. Al-Sudani, the Joint Ops Command has prepared a new strategy to eliminate the remaining Daesh remnants by continuing preemptive operations, pressuring them, monitoring them, and pursuing them in multiple locations at carefully considered times, in light of available intelligence information."
"The security operation that led to the killing of the so-called Wali of Iraq and Syria, Abdullah Mekki, came after the noose was tightened around him. It represented a devastating blow to the terrorist Daesh, as he represented a communication link with what remained of Daesh inside and outside Iraq," he highlighted.
Al-Numan revealed that "Daesh is attempting to regroup in preparation for carrying out terrorist operations outside Iraq, after losing its strength and capabilities inside Iraq. It is now heading to carry out terrorist operations in the Sahel regions of Africa."
"There is an intelligence effort by the Intelligence Service and the Counterterrorism Service, with the support of the international coalition. In addition, arrests were carried out by the Kurdistan Regional Security Council, and previous operations paved the way for this major operation, especially the Lions' Leap, carried out in August of last year, during which more than 14 Daesh leaders were killed during a meeting in the Anbar desert. Important documents were obtained that strengthened the information about the so-called terrorist Wali of Iraq and Syria, Abdullah Mekki," he explained.
He added, "After the operations were completed, there was a high-level field, intelligence, and information coordination, in addition to the significant role played by the Iraqi judiciary and a high-level coordination with Kurdistan Security, which was able to arrest five terrorists after Wali's death. This was in addition to the airdrop carried out by the Counterterrorism Service, which was able to arrest seven terrorists, including two women who served as a link between the terrorist Abdullah Mekki and other parties."
"They also played a role as a source of logistical support and conveyed messages between the terrorist Abdullah Mekki and his followers," he concluded.
Earlier, PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani announced on Friday the elimination of the terrorist Abdallah Makki, the so-called Deputy Caliph.
"The Iraqis continue their remarkable victories against the forces of darkness and terrorism. The heroes of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, with support and coordination from the Joint Operations Command and the International Coalition forces, successfully eliminated the terrorist Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay'i, known as (Abu Khadija)," said PM Al-Sudani in a statement on his official account on X - followed up by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.
The statement also included, "He held the so-called position of (Deputy Caliph), in addition to serving as the so-called Wali of Iraq and Syria, head of the Authorized Committee, and overseer of external operations offices. He was considered one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world."
"We congratulate Iraq, the Iraqi people, and all peace-loving nations on this significant security achievement," he included.