Former Iraqi MP Says ISIS Cells in Country's Final Phase

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A former member of the Iraqi Parliament's Security and Defense Committee said ISIS cells are experiencing their final phase in the country. Abbas es-Sarut, speaking in a June statement, said Iraq is expected to reach "zero attack" levels across all operational areas by 2026. Sarut noted that ISIS cells have largely lost their capacity to recruit new militants. He emphasized that cooperation between local populations in liberated areas and security forces has increased, adding that society has rejected the group's ideology. Intelligence operations, regional stability and international support have restricted the organization's funding sources, according to Sarut. ISIS seized large areas of Iraq in the summer of 2014, including Mosul, before security forces launched years of operations that concluded with a victory declaration in late 2017.