Iraq arrests Abdel Nasser Qardash possible IS candidate to succeed Baghdadi

BAGHDAD: A key Islamic State (IS) leader identified as Abdel Nasser Qardash, thought to be a possible candidate to succeed the terror groups late leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has been arrested in Iraq, the country's intelligence services said on Thursday.

In a statement, the Iraqi Security Information Cell confirmed the arrest ofQardash, who it said had a major role in the Battle of Baghuz in March 2019, in which the IS lost its last remaining stronghold in Syria, reports Efe news.

The Iraqi forces said that Qardash was responsible for the manufacture and development of mustard gas for use inside Iraq; that Baghdadi made him the emir of manufacturing and development; and that he was sent to Syria to manufacture weapons, explosives and equipment.

At various points he was also a governor, was involved in attacks on Kobane, Palmyra, Aleppo and Damascus, and was the supervisor of all administrative boards and the organization's manufacturing and processing sections, the statement added.

It also highlighted the commitment of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service to pursue members of these terrorist groups and "hunt them one by one and bring them to justice". (IANS) 

Also watch: An Exclusive Interview with Naaz Sultana only on The Sentinel Assam