Iraq interrogates family of ISIS terrorist Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

The family of the deceased leader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has been returned to Iraq for questioning, as announced by judicial officials on Thursday. The United States declared in October 2019 that Baghdadi was killed by US troops in an operation in northwestern Syria, marking the end of his reign over an Islamic “caliphate” characterized by brutality across vast swathes of Iraq and neighboring Syria.

Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council revealed on its website that it has successfully repatriated the family of the notorious terrorist, although details regarding the number of family members and their origin were not disclosed. However, an anonymous judicial source informed AFP that al-Baghdadi’s wife, who was detained in Turkey, has been brought back along with her children, under the pretext of ongoing efforts to retrieve individuals accused of terrorism who have sought refuge outside of Iraq.

The repatriation of al-Baghdadi’s relatives aligns with Iraq’s persistent endeavors to bring to justice those affiliated with terrorist activities, particularly those linked to the Islamic State. Over the years, Iraqi courts have issued numerous death sentences and life imprisonments under anti-terrorism legislation, with a significant number of convictions targeting foreign nationals found guilty of association with the Islamic State.

The Judicial Council disclosed that al-Baghdadi’s family members are currently undergoing interrogation, with investigations aimed at uncovering crucial insights into the operations and structure of the Islamic State. Concurrently, Iraq continues its efforts to repatriate citizens from Syria, notably from Al-Hol camp, where thousands, including relatives of suspected jihadists, are accommodated.

The disclosure of the repatriation coincided with the airing of an interview with “al-Baghdadi’s wife” on Thursday by the Saudi-owned pan-Arab TV channel, Al Arabiya, identifying her as Asmaa Mohamed. Previously, in November 2019, Turkey had announced the arrest of one of al-Baghdadi’s wives, identified as Asma Fawzi Muhammad Al-Qubaysi, who reportedly provided significant intelligence on the inner workings of the jihadist group.

Although US-backed forces declared victory over the Islamic State in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria two years later, the remnants of the group persist in launching attacks on civilians and security forces in both nations, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by the organization despite the demise of its leader.