Iraq

Israeli commander working with Daesh arrested in Iraq: Popular forces

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Iraqi popular forces have say they have arrested a senior Israeli commander working with the Takfiri Daesh terrorists.

According to a report by Iran’s Fars news agency, sources in Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) say they have arrested Colonel Yussi Elon Shahak during an operation against Daesh.

The report said Shahak was arrested along with a number of key Daesh members, saying he is currently being interrogated by Iraq’s intelligence officials to determine the degree and type of support the Tel Aviv regime has been providing to militants fighting against the Iraqi government.

Iraq has been gripped by a deadly militancy since Daesh captured areas in north and west of the country in the summer of 2014. The Iraqi army and the fighters of the PMF and other volunteers have managed to retake some positions from the militants in the north and operations continue for the liberation of other areas.

The report by Fars cited military intelligence showing that Shahak is registered with Golani Brigade, an elite force which was formed in 1948 and is known as the 1st Brigade of the regular Israeli infantry. A military registration number was also provided in the report.

The capture could be seen as a major setback for Israel as it has repeatedly denied having links to Daesh. Previous reports from the occupied Syrian territory of the Golan Heights had shown that Daesh received assistance from the Israeli military. Israelis have openly confirmed that they have hosted some Daesh militants in their field hospitals on the border with Jordan and provided them with medical care.

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