Iraqi forces gain more yardage in western Anbar
Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi army forces recaptured two regions around Islamic State stronghold towns in Anbar province as operations launched two days ago to clear western regions from militants.
Qassem al-Mohammadi, commander of the army’s al-Jazeera Operations, said Saturday that security forces had isolated the regions of Sakra, in the southwest, and Zawia , in the northwest, from IS stronghold towns of Annah and Rawa, adding that the two areas are being combed.
Mohammadi said 30 Islamic State militants were killed in the operation, while 300 explosive devices had been defused.
Islamic State fighters have used regions of western Anbar, near the borders with Syria, as launching points for attacks against civilians and security forces. Iraqi security and coalition forces responded with occasional strikes on those locations.
Military commanders and local officials said Friday troops recaptured nearly 11 villages in western Anbar.
The most outstanding battle against IS in Iraq has been running since October at the city of Mosul, the country’s second largest city and the formerly proclaimed capital of the militants’ self-styled “Islamic Caliphate”. Generals say they have become in control over 70 percent of the city’s eastern section and hope to advance towards the western section on the borders with Syria.