Fresh airstrikes have killed at least 13 commanders of the notorious militant group, the military said in a statement. But the army stopped short of confirming the militant leader's presence at the targeted house.
Image: Reuters//Lockheed Martin
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Iraqi warplanes carried out strikes on a house where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who heads the "Islamic State" militant group, was believed be to meeting with other commanders, the Iraqi military said in a statement on Monday.
The military said F-16s targeted the house on Saturday in western Iraq. It published the names of 13 commanders of the militant group, although al-Baghdadi failed to make the list.
The statement comes amid local news reports that the "Islamic State" chief had been injured over the weekend and attempted to flee to the militant group's stronghold in Syria.
Meanwhile, an Iraqi security spokesman said forces on the ground prevented around 200 militant fighters from fleeing Tal Afar.
"This was an attempt by Daesh to open a breach, flee to the Syria border and exfiltrate some leaders and fighters," spokesman Ahmed al-Assadi told AFP news agency, referring to the group by its Arabic-language acronym.
Backed by a US-led coalition, Iraq's army launched a campaign in October to liberate the city of Mosul, where al-Baghdadi announced the creation of a so-called caliphate from a historic mosque in the city nearly three years ago.
The "Islamic State" rose to international notoriety in 2014, when it launched a brutal campaign to expand its territorial dominion and occupied large swathes of land in Iraq and Syria.
The campaign culminated in the militant group gaining control of Mosul, Iraq's third-largest city, effectively allowing it to seize more than $400 billion from the central bank.
What is the 'Islamic State'?
IS has gone from an obscure al-Qaida splinter group to a global phenomenon. DW takes a look at the defining aspects of the jihadi group — from its "caliphate" to its tactics.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/Al-Furqan
Where did it come from?
The "Islamic State" (IS) — also known as ISIL, ISIS and Daesh — is an al-Qaida splinter group with a militant Sunni Islamist ideology. It emerged in the aftermath of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and is led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Their goal is to create a worldwide "caliphate." It gained worldwide notoriety in 2014 after a blitzkrieg military campaign that resulted in the capture of Mosul.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo
Where does it operate?
IS is believed to be operational in more than a dozen countries across the world. It controls territories in Iraq and Syria. However, the group has lost much of the territory it controlled in Iraq and Syria at the height of its expansion in 2014.
Who is fighting back?
The US leads an international coalition of more than 50 countries, including several Arab nations. Russia, Iran and its Lebanese Shiite ally Hezbollah, which all support the Syrian government, also fight IS. Regional forces such as the Kurdish peshmerga (above) and US-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters, fight IS on the ground. The Iraqi army and militia have pushed IS from large parts of the country.
Image: picture-alliance/abaca/H. Huseyin
How does it fund itself?
One of IS' main sources of income has been oil and gas. At one point, it controlled an estimated one-third of Syria's oil production. However, US-led airstrikes deliberately targeted oil resources and the Syrian government as well as US-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters have retaken most oil wells. Other means of income include taxes, ransom, selling looted antiquities and extortion.
Image: Getty Images/J. Moore
Where does it carry out attacks?
IS has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks across the globe. The militant group has targeted capitals across the EU, including Berlin, Brussels and Paris. IS leaders have encouraged so-called "lone wolf" attacks, whereby individuals who support IS carry out terrorist acts without the direct involvement of the group.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Spingler
What other tactics does it use?
The group uses various tactics to expand its power. IS fighters have looted and destroyed historical artifacts in Syria and Iraq in an attempt at "cultural cleansing." The group has also enslaved thousands of women from religious minority groups, including Yazidis. IS also uses a sophisticated social network to distribute propaganda and recruit sympathizers.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Eid
How has it impacted the region?
IS has further exacerbated the ongoing Syrian conflict. Millions of Syrians and Iraqis have fled their homes, many traveling to Europe in pursuit of refuge. Although it has lost all of its strongholds, the militant group has left extraordinary destruction in its wake. Areas affected by the militant group's rule will likely take years to rebuild.
