The chief of counterterrorism forces in an ongoing operation to Liberate Iraqi city of Fallujah, Lt. General Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, told the local al-Sumaria TV late on Monday that he expects a more advanced version of the terrorist group to emerge in future.
He also noted that the people of Fallujah had to accept the extremist group because it was imposed on them, as reported by Al Alam News Network and translated by IFP.
The Iraqi commander further referred to the recent battles in Iraq, saying about 2,500 ISIS militants were killed during a month-long offensive to recapture the city of Fallujah.
The number of ISIS fighters inside Fallujah ranged between 3,500 and 4,000 when the offensive began in late May, he stated, noting that about 15% of them were foreign fighters.
Al-Saadi cited Iraqi police reports as saying 1,086 ISIS-linked suspects have been arrested.
