ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish security forces have arrested six clerics for allegedly supporting the Islamic State and inciting violence in the Kurdistan region. "Three clerics were arrested in the city of Erbil, and one in the town of Harir in the province of Erbil, another in Bardarash area in the province of Dohuk, and one in Zaryan, Sulaimani province, on charges of encouraging ISIS ideology and inciting violence," sources told Rudaw. Last November, a Kurdish cleric from Erbil known as Mullah Shwan joined ISIS with his wife and children. Mullah Shwan appeared in a video released by ISIS earlier this month that threatens the Kurdish leaders and vows to take control of the Kurdistan region. According to the sources, the detainees are still under investigation and have not been convicted for any crimes. Kamal Muslim, Kurdistan Regional Government's minister of Religious Affairs, was skeptical that such a number of preachers had been arrested. "This issue has got to do with the security authorities in the Kurdistan Region. They should speak about this matter," said Muslim. Nearly 500 Kurds joined ISIS last year, but the number has declined dramatically since ISIS attacked areas in the Kurdistan region. KRG security forces have also taken stricter measures and worked to educate young people about the risks involved with joining the Islamic State.
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