BAGHDAD — Iraqi forces in Mosul have detained more than 150 suspected Sunni insurgents during an offensive in the country's last major extremist stronghold, a security official said Friday. The crackdown is the latest attempt to break insurgent strength in the northern city — and the first wide-ranging operation since the U.S. withdrew combat forces from cities in June. While each sweep into Mosul over the past years has produced scores of arrests, they apparently have failed to significantly weaken the networks of Al Qaeda in Iraq and other groups.
The Iraqi security official said raids began earlier this week and are expected to wrap up Saturday. So far, the detained suspects include alleged senior insurgent commanders and financiers, added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media.
U.S. forces took part in the offensive, but mostly in a support role, the official said. The U.S. military did not immediately comment on the reported Mosul push.
Mosul has remained one of the lingering worries for the Pentagon as they prepare to end combat operations next August. Insurgents have resisted a series of assaults by Iraqi and American troops and continue to stage attacks from Mosul bases.
Source: FoxNews
Posts
