Iraq’s intelligence service said Thursday it detained 40 members of the ISIS group as part of a major operation in Baghdad and Diyala provinces.
“The Iraqi national intelligence service, in coordination with Baghdad and Diyala security forces, carried out an operation which resulted in the arrest of 40 members of varying rank,” a statement said.
Diyala is a province just northeast of the capital where ISIS has not had fixed positions in almost a year but has carried out several deadly suicide car bombings.
“Many bombs, suicide belts and cars used by the terrorists were seized, as well as large amounts of money they used to fund their criminal activities,” the statement said.
The intelligence service said the detained [ISIS] members had requested assistance from cells in other parts of the country, suggesting the group is weakened in Baghdad.