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Iraqi Special Operations Forces and the US-led coalition neutralized a key ISIS financial facilitation network during security operations conducted in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad and the northwestern city of Erbil between October 7 and 9, the US-led coalition revealed in an official statement on October 11.
“The arrests deal a major blow to ISIS’s capacity to threaten and terrorize civilians … This demonstrates that those who assist in, sponsor, or provide financial, material or technological support to ISIS will face severe consequences,” said Major General Patrick B. Roberson, commander of the US-led coalition Special Operation Joint Task Force.
The US-led coalition said that Iraqi security forces arrested ten members of the financial network, which is known as the “al-Ray network.” However, the coalition didn’t provide further details about the detainees.
Two days ago, the General Directorate for Combating Terrorism of the Kurdistan Region Government (KRG) announced that several financiers of ISIS were arrested in the region’s capital. Back then, the counter-terror unit revealed that the financiers were supporting ISIS’ activities in Iraq and Syria.
In late 2017, Iraqi government forces restored control of all areas previously controlled by ISIS. However, many cells of the terrorist group have remained in the central and northwestern parts of the war-torn country. This poses a serious security threat to these regions.
