An Iraqi militia commander stated a mobile phone found on a dead ISIS militant proves that Turkey’s intelligence agency is providing support for the group.
“The mobile phone was found with one of the killed ISIL leaders in the Northern parts of Salahuddin province two days ago,” Jabbar al-Ma’mouri told Soumeriya news on Monday.
He added that the phone contains messages from Turkish intelligence which prove that Ankara supports ISIS. Turkey provides security at the points used by militants traveling from Turkey to Iraq.
“The mobile phone also contains other important information which cannot be disclosed now, and it has been delivered to the specialized security groups for further scrutiny,” Ma’mouri said.
Last month, former US State Department senior advisor David Phillips stated that Turkey provided material support to ISIS because Ankara have an ideological connection with the group and a mutual enemy in Syrian President Bashar Assad.
“Turkey’s role has not been ambiguous – it has overtly supported the ISIL,” said Phillips. “It has provided logistical support, money, weapons, transport and healthcare to wounded warriors.”
Phillips said Ankara has been supporting ISIS to remove Assad from power. Also, he noted that there is a “spiritual bond” between Turkey’s governing party and the jihadists.