The Islamic State (IS) group has between 400 and 500 active fighters in Iraq, a senior Iraqi military official estimated on Sunday March 12, as the jihadist organization continues its sporadic attacks against security forces and civilians.
UN estimates revealed in a report published in February evoked, they, “
5000 to 7000 members and supporters
” of the EI deployed between Iraq and Syria, of which “
about half
” would be combatants.
The report did not specify their distribution in the two neighboring countries.
After a meteoric rise in power in 2014, the IS saw its self-proclaimed "
caliphate
" waver under the blow of successive offensives launched in these two countries with the support of an international anti-jihadist coalition.
“Lost its ability to attract new recruits”
At the end of 2017, Iraq proclaimed its military victory against the jihadists, who had once conquered nearly a third of its territory.
But IS cells continue to sporadically target security forces and civilians.
Read alsoWhere is the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq?
"
According to information from intelligence agencies, the total number of IS members does not exceed 400 to 500 fighters, in three or four provinces
," said General Qaïs al-Mohamadawi, deputy commander of the operations cell. which oversees the cooperation of Iraqi security forces with the international anti-jihadist coalition.
"
The IS organization has lost its ability to attract new recruits
," he said at a press conference.
In addition, the general mentioned an operation carried out on February 26 which made it possible to dismantle a jihadist “
training camp
” in the desert of western Iraq.
During the intervention in Al-Anbar province, 22 jihadists were killed, he said.
"Operational Theater"
A UN report published in February for the Security Council assured that in Iraq, the EI still operates "
in mountainous rural areas, where it exploits the porosity of the Iraqi-Syrian border and maintains sufficient maneuverability to escape attacks. Iraqi forces
.
The jihadists are deployed in an "
operational theater
" covering the regions of Kirkuk (North), Diyala (North-East), Salaheddine (North) and the northern outskirts of Baghdad, where IS is targeting "
members of the security, local notables and civilians
,” according to the report.
Read alsoSyria: the American army captures an official of the Islamic State
Despite dwindling cash reserves - currently valued at between $25 million and $50 million, according to the document - ISIS began "
laundering money by investing in legitimate business activities, including hotels and hotels." real estate in Iraq and Syria
”, it is underlined.
“
He also allegedly resorted to cattle rustling to raise funds
.”