Military Intelligence captures terror suspects in northern Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Military Intelligence Directorate announced Wednesday the arrest of three individuals accused of terrorism in northern Baghdad.

In a statement, the directorate said, “As part of ongoing intelligence efforts to eliminate wanted individuals and those threatening Iraq’s security, and based on precise intelligence information, separate operations resulted in the arrest of three terrorists.”

The detainees are the subject of prior arrest warrants issued under the Anti-Terrorism Law. The statement added they were handed over to the relevant authorities to complete the necessary legal procedures.

In the last two decades, Iraq has faced several terrorist groups, from Al‑Qaeda to Islamic State. Following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, Iraq saw the emergence of al-Qaeda in Iraq, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Qaeda was responsible for widespread violence, including bombings and assassinations targeting civilians, Iraqi forces, and coalition troops.

In 2014, ISIS declared a caliphate and seized large parts of Iraq and Syria, including Mosul. The group enforced strict religious laws and committed mass killings, including against Kurdish Yazidis and other minorities.

ISIS lost its territorial control by late 2017 after a military campaign by Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga, supported by a U.S.-led coalition. However, remnants of the group continue to operate in rural and border regions, carrying out attacks and maintaining underground cells.