Iraq frees 3 abducted civilians near Mosul

By Ahmed Qassem and Serhad Shakir

NINEVEH, Iraq (AA) – Three abducted civilians were freed by Iraqi security forces near the northern city of Mosul on Monday, according to a local police officer.

The three were set free during a raid on a building where they were held in Zumani village, west of Mosul, Capt. Mohamed al-Hindawi told Anadolu Agency.

It remains unclear whether the three had been abducted for ransom.

Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Iyad al-Asali said the abductor of the three was arrested after a local woman had recognized him.

He said the abductor was a member of Daesh when the terrorist group was still in control of the city.

The Daesh presence has recently been purged from Iraq -- by Iraqi forces and a U.S.-led military coalition -- after the terrorist group overran much of the country in 2014.

Iraqi officials, however, continue to warn of Daesh “sleeper cells” that they say remain in the country.