Iraqi security forces killed on Monday (April 9th) a "key adviser" for "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on the outskirts of Kirkuk province, the Iraqi Interior Ministry announced in a statement.
Abu Walid al-Shishani, called al-Baghdadi's "right arm", was killed in a desert area south of Kirkuk, the ministry said.
Four other members of ISIS were killed in the security operation which aimed at cracking down on ISIS elements in al-Humairat area in al-Rashad, said Wahab al-Taie, adviser to the interior minister.
"Several ambushes were set up for them, and five terrorists -- including Abu Walid al-Shishani -- were killed in ensuing clashes," he said, noting that three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were dismantled.
Al-Shishani was reportedly plotting attacks against security forces and civilians in the area. He was responsible for sleeper cells planning terrorist attacks in Kirkuk city.
