Report:

Baghdadi’s Cousin Arrested by Iraqi Security Forces in Mosul

Rasa - A video surfaced on Sunday that allegedly shows the arrest of ISIL terror group ringleader's cousin in the city of Mosul, where Iraqi government forces are keeping on with their push to drive out ISIL militants from the city.

News ID: 427906

Date: 05 March 2017 - 23:39

RNA - Social media outlets circulated a video showing Iraqi police forces walking a handcuffed militant whom they claimed to be the cousin of ISIL’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Iraqi News reported.

The officers did not mention the militants exact name. Baghdadi’s exact location and survival have been subject to clashing, unconfirmed reports since operations to free the city sat out.

A local war media outlet, Alkhozaee Media, also confirmed that the member of ISIL terror group has been arrested in Western Mosul.

Meanehile, the chief of the Joint Operations Command’s operations in Nineveh, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah, said in a statement that Federal Police and Rapid Response forces invaded the districts of Dindan and Dawasah, in the Easternmost area of Western Mosul, while the Counter-Terrorism Force invaded al-Sumoud and Tal al-Rumman in the Westernmost area.

Iraqi forces recaptured Eastern Mosul in January, ending three months of fighting to retake the city which fell to ISIL militants in 2014. A new offensive began in mid February to retake the Western region, with Iraqi generals  reporting faster collapses and weaker resistance on IS behalf.

Western Mosul is smaller in space from the Eastern side, albeit denser in population and residential areas, with officials predicting to retake that area within six months.

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