Iraqi Forces Arrest ISIS Leader in Al-Anbar Ahead of Planned Terror Attack

Iraqi security forces captured ISIS leader Abu Ayman Al-Rawi in Al-Anbar province before he could carry out a planned terror attack, detaining five additional members in a counterterrorism operation.

Iraqi authorities said the operation targeted a core ISIS cell in Al-Anbar, aiming to dismantle the group's complex terror network and prevent attacks. Among those arrested were Abu Al-Jais, logistics head Ghaib Awad, and Qusai Shaalan, who was responsible for preparing explosive drones and chemical attacks, officials said.

Al-Anbar remains a longstanding stronghold for ISIS, where insurgents have exploited the desert terrain to challenge Iraqi forces' security efforts. U.S. military support has included transporting captured ISIS members from northeast Syria to Iraq to aid Baghdad's counterterrorism and intelligence operations.

Confessions from the detainees led to a multi-day operation in the Rutbah desert, where authorities discovered and seized weapons, explosives and suicide belts. Iraqi officials confirmed that approximately 4,000 detained ISIS members have been repatriated from Syria to Iraq, with the transfer process ongoing to prevent the group from regrouping.

The Iraqi National Security spokesperson stressed that the operation significantly disrupts ISIS operational capacity in the region and bolsters national security in Al-Anbar and surrounding areas. Iraq continues coordinated security operations with international partners, emphasizing preemptive action against planned terrorist attacks.