Baghdad: Senior ISIS leader hunted down in Anbar

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Interior Ministry of Iraq announced Monday the killing of  the local Islamic State leader responsible for the execution of men from the Shaaitan tribe in the town of Hit in western Anbar province.

“As a result of the bombarding of [ISIS] militants in the area of Mohammedi in Hit by Iraqi jets, 19 ISIS militants were killed and four others wounded,” said Saad Man, Interior Ministry spokesman, speaking at a press conference on Saturday. 

“Among the ISIS casualties, the Saudi national Akram Aruf, known as Abu Amar al-Shami,who was responsible for the executions of dozens of men from the Shaaitan tribe was killed,” said Maan.

“Aruf had close ties with Abu Sayyaf," he added, referring to the former head of ISIS oil operations who was killed in a US commando raid on May 16.

In a rare ground attack deep inside Syria, the US forces killed Sayyaf, while capturing his wife and rescuing a woman who US officials described as enslaved by the couple.

In other developments against ISIS, the grave of dozens of Iraqi Army officers and security personnel who were executed by the extremist group was reportedly located. 

“Iraqi forces have found a mass grave of 30 officers and security personnel in the area of Garma east of Fallujah town,” said Captain Murza Jomaili, commander of the Garma operation.

Last week, the Anbar provincial council said the Iraqi joint forces had resumed military operations against ISIS on the outskirts of Fallujah and Ramadi.