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US Turns Over Widow of Islamic State Leader to Iraq


FILE - Mohammad al-Shalabi, better known as Abu Sayyaf, speaks to a crowd of about 200 calling for the release of prisoners outside the Prime Minister office in Amman, Jordan, Sept. 9 2012.
FILE - Mohammad al-Shalabi, better known as Abu Sayyaf, speaks to a crowd of about 200 calling for the release of prisoners outside the Prime Minister office in Amman, Jordan, Sept. 9 2012.

U.S. forces have turned over the widow of a top Islamic State leader to Iraqi custody.

Umm Sayyaf was the wife of Islamic State commander Abu Sayyaf, who was killed by U.S. special forces in Syria in May. She was transferred to Iraqi's autonomous Kurdistan region.

The Pentagon says Umm Sayyaf also belongs to Islamic State and that handing her over to the Iraqis is consistent with its policy to detain, question and seek prosecution of those captured on the battlefield.

Abu Sayyaf was believed to be Islamic State's chief fundraiser.

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