In a significant development in the ongoing fight against terrorism, the Kurdistan Regional Security Council (KRSC) announced on Friday the capture of Sokrat Khalil Ismail, also known by his alias Abdullah al-Tafkhikh, a high-ranking terrorist and close associate of the Islamic State (IS) leadership.

Khalil, a notorious figure within IS, initially joined the terrorist organization and played a pivotal role in the occupation of Mosul in June 2014. Within IS, he was heavily involved in the bombing department and ascended through the ranks to hold several emir positions. Khalil remained in Mosul until its liberation in 2017, actively participating in all major battles defending the city.

Following the fall of Mosul, Khalil relocated to Syria, where he was assigned various security duties by Haji Abdullah (Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi), the former IS caliph. His assignments included key strategic roles crucial to the operations of IS.

In 2018, acting on direct orders from the IS caliph, Khalil returned to Mosul using a fake passport under the alias Amar Hazim Mohammed. After his mission in Mosul, he fled to Turkey, where he resided for five years. During this period, he managed to evade capture by assuming a false identity.

Khalil's downfall came when he attempted to re-enter the northern Kurdistan Region using a counterfeit identity card and passport. The vigilant security forces of the Kurdistan Region successfully apprehended him, ending his long-standing evasion of justice.

The KRSC has emphasized the importance of this capture, noting that Khalil's arrest is a significant blow to the remnants of IS and its operational capabilities. This successful operation underscores the ongoing commitment of the Kurdistan Region to combat terrorism and maintain regional security.

Further details about Khalil's capture and subsequent actions by the KRSC are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.