Islamic State has regrouped in Iraq and is now like “al Qaeda on steroids”, according to intelligence officials.
Two years after losing the last of its territory in the country, IS is said to be carrying out more attacks and becoming more sophisticated.
“They have better techniques, better tactics and a lot more money at their disposal,” Lahur Talabany, a top Kurdish counter-terrorism official, told the BBC. “They are able to buy vehicles, weapons, food supplies and equipment. Technologically they’re more savvy. It’s more difficult to flush them out. So, they are like al Qaeda on steroids.”
Speaking from his base in Sulaimaniya, in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, the intelligence agency chief told how IS has spent the past 12 months rebuilding from the ruins of the caliphate that was destroyed by a US-led coalition.
“We see the activities are increasing now, and we think the rebuilding phase is over,” he said.
No longer in control of territory, the group — like al Qaeda — has gone underground, with its “hub” in Iraq’s Hamrin Mountains. “It’s a long range of mountains, and very difficult for the Iraqi army to control. There are a lot of hideouts and caves,” Mr Talabany added.
He said IS benefited from a vast no man’s land in northern Iraq amid strained relations between Baghdad and the Kurdistan regional government. Kurdish officials estimate that the group has 4,000 to 5,000 fighters, and a similar number of sleeper cells and sympathisers, in Iraq.
