ISIL chemical arms expert captured in Iraq: Officials

Iraqi intelligence officials say head of the ISIL (Daesh) terror group's unit, which is responsible for developing chemical weapons has been arrested in a February raid in the northern part of the country.

According to Press TV, the Wednesday announcement came after US officials said last week that American Special Forces had captured a Daesh leader without releasing his name.

Two Iraqi officials, whose names were not mentioned, identified the Takfiri terrorists as Sleiman Daoud al-Afari, who worked for slain Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's now-defunct Military Industrialization Authority. He is said to be specializing in chemical and biological weapons.

Afari, who is about 50 years old, was arrested in an attack near the town of Tal Afar, the officials said, adding that he is the head of ISIL’s recently established branch for the research and development of chemical arms.

Daesh, which is in control of parts of Iraq, has reportedly been trying to produce chemical weapons and is believed to have formed a special unit for chemical weapons research.

Iraqi scientists from the Saddam-era weapons program as well as foreign experts are thought to be working for the terror group.

SS