Officials: 19,000 Daesh militants, supporters in Iraq, Syria

High-ranking Iraqi security officials say there are about 7,000 Daesh terrorists and supporters remaining in the Arab country.

High-ranking Iraqi security officials say there are about 7,000 Daesh terrorists and supporters remaining in the Arab country.

The sheer number comprises an estimated 4,000 militants and 3,000 sympathizers, who were employed by the Takfiri group and received salaries, they told The Associated Press anonymously.

The sources said neighboring Syria was holding another 7,000 Daesh militants and 5,000 supporters.

The countries used to be awash with around 19,000 to 25,000 Daesh terrorists alone in February 2016 and 20,000 to 31,000 in 2014.

The northern city of Mosul was Daesh’s main Iraqi stronghold, which was liberated on July 10. The group’s turf has now dwindled to patches within the northwestern province of Nineveh, the sprawling neighboring Anbar province, and the Hawija area in the nearby Kirkuk Province.