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Iraqi army launches offensive on Islamic State in three cities
 [Dhaka Tribune] Iraqi forces launched an intense military operation against Islamic State holy warriors in three cities in central Iraq yesterday, fighting to regain control of lost ground, security sources said.The offensives in Ramadi, Falluja and Haditha in the western province of Anbar started before dawn. Sunni tribes revolted in these areas in late 2013 when Iraq's former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki moved his forces into the cities to suppress a year-long anti-government protest movement. Islamic State holy warriors then entered the cities and became the dominate force over the course of several months' fighting against the Shi'ite-led government. Security sources said the Iraqi Army's 8th division hit areas in western Ramadi with mortars, artillery and rocket fire. Government-aligned Sunni tribal fighters also clashed with Islamic State in Ramadi, leaving eight people dead, a hospital source in Ramadi said. In Falluja, heavy shelling and Iraqi air force strikes hit the al-Sujur district on the edge of the city, killing 12 civilians, medics in Falluja said. Posted by: Fred 2014-09-18 |
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