Iraqis say they foiled Daesh plan to attack revered shrines

Baghdad: Iraqi intelligence officials say they have foiled an attempt by the Daesh group to attack revered Shiite shrines and the sect’s spiritual leader.

Two officers spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media. They said the Daesh plan was to launch a series of suicide attacks in Karbala and Najaf that house the shrines as well as the home of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani.

The officers added that simultaneous airstrikes by Iraq and Russian two weeks ago hit gatherings of suicide bombers in the Iraqi town of Qaim and in Syria’s Maydeen area. Both towns are under Daesh control. They gave no details on casualties.