Daesh chief trapped in Iraq's Mosul

An Iraqi commander said the ringleader of the Daesh (ISIL) terror group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is believed to be trapped in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul after his numerous failed attempts to escape the city, now-besieged by the Iraqi forces.

A senior commander of Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs), Jawad al-Tleibawai, said in a statement published by Bas News that initial information obtained by the group’s intelligence bodies suggests that al-Baghdadi is in the province of Nineveh and more specifically inside the city of Mosul.

The Daesh (ISIL) leader was previously believed to have fled Iraq and moved to the group's main stronghold, the Syrian city of Raqqa.

The Tleibawai's statement on Baghdadi's presence in Mosul comes as earlier reports said that the ISIL chief has sent delegations to pro-ISIL Arab states to ask for more financial aid and arms shipments.

Dr. Omar Badr al-Din, who is a senior expert in the field of extremist groups, said Al-Baghdadi is trying hard to prevent the imminent fall of Mosul city to Iraqi forces.

"Sources in Mosul have disclosed that al-Baghdadi is trying to establish links with more rich sponsors in Arab states to encourage them widen arms shipments to the ISIL as the terrorist group has lost most of its weaponry in recent battles," Badr al-Din said, noting that "some ISIL members flee their positions without their weapons as Iraqi army troops advance in the region."

He further added that if ISIL fails to persuade its backers to assist it with funds, Mosul would fall to the army in no more than two weeks. "Even if ISIL receives new military hardware, the fall of the city will be definite", although it would take a longer time.

Badr al-Din said al-Baghdadi plans to stage a power show-off in the battle against the Iraqi army by planting numerous bombs and land mines in Western Mosul, "but the plan could diminish the entire military strength of the ISIL".    

Earlier this week, Iraqi troops retook the Mosul University campus, the most remarkable ISIL stronghold in Eastern Mosul.

EA