According to U.S. officials, Special Operations forces captured the senior Islamic State group militant Sleiman Daoud al-Afari in Iraq three weeks ago, reportedly the first operation for U.S. forces in the area. The captured individual is now providing information about IS’ ability to make and deploy chemical weapons, as well as information now being used for airstrikes against the group.
CNN reported that airstrikes have mainly targeted Mosul aiming to diminish the group’s access to chemical weapons and fighting capacity.
The New York Times reported that al-Afari is being held in U.S. custody in Erbil, Iraq at a temporary detention facility.
BREAKING: Iraqi intelligence officials say U.S. special forces in Iraq captured the head of the Islamic State group's chemical weapons unit.
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 9, 2016
A U.S. ISIS detainee is providing crucial information on chemical weapons https://t.co/GI0iaBvkxD https://t.co/IooxRl3kr1
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 9, 2016