ISIS families
Salahuddin (IraqiNews.com) A local source from Salahuddin province has revealed an unprecedented ‘overnight displacement’ by families of the Islamic State militants from north of the province, as liberation offensive nears.
“The western coast of Shirqat, north of Salahuddin, has seen an unprecedented displacement by families of the IS members that take place overnight toward unknown destinations, leaving their houses empty,” the source told AlSumaria News on Sunday.
“Complete liberation of Tal Afar in short time was a huge shock to IS members and leaders,” the source, who preferred anonymity, said. “The displacement of families is like a collective runaway, especially that the liberation offensives of Hawija and other regions are nearing.”
The Iraqi army said in September its forces recaptured the western coast of Shirqat, located south of Mosul, on the west bank of the Tigris river, after being surrounded for months by Iraqi troops and the pro-government Shi’ite militias. The eastern coast of Shirqat, is still under the IS control.
Pivotal regions that link between each of Diyala, Salahuddin and Kirkuk, are still held by the militants which poses threats to the liberated regions. Iraqi troops are urged to prevent the militants infiltration between Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces, especially the regions stretching along Hamreen mountains and Al-Azeem town.
The government is expected to launch military offensives at the few remaining IS havens, including in Salahuddin.
ISIS tightens curfew in Anbar
Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State group imposed curfew on citizens in western Anbar regions, a security source was quoted saying.
“IS tightened measures on citizens in Qaim town, al-Ebeidi town and Okashat region. Curfew has been imposed since the morning,” the source told Baghdad Today.
“Tens of IS leaders arrived on Saturday evening to Qaim,” the source said adding that they likely “ran away from Aiyadhiya and Tal Afar.
Last week, the Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell said the air force bombarded six IS locations in Qaim, killing 94 members, including a senior security commander and a close aide to the group’s supreme leader abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Anbar’s western towns of Anah, Qaim and Rawa are still held by the extremist group since 2014, when it occupied one third of Iraq to proclaim a self-styled Islamic Caliphate. Iraqi troops were able to return life back to normal in the biggest cities of Anbar including Fallujah, Ramadi and others after recapturing them.
Fighter jets from the Iraqi army and the international coalition regularly pound IS locations in the province.
In late July, a military source was quoted saying that Lt.Gen Abdul-Amir Yarallah, commander of the Nineveh Operations, ordered to besiege IS havens in western Anbar preparing to invade them.
16 executed in Anbar
Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State has executed sixteen civilians in western Anbar towns, an informed security source said.
Speaking to Alghad Press on Sunday, the source said, “IS militants executed 16 youths in the evening in each of Annah, Qaim and Rawa towns over spying for security troops.”
Earlier on the day, the militant group reportedly tightened measures on citizens in Qaim, al-Ebeidi town and Okashat region. Curfew has been imposed since the morning. Tens of leaders, who likely ran away from Aiyadhiya and Tal Afar, arrived on Saturday in Qaim.
Last week, the Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell said the air force bombarded six IS locations in Qaim, killing 94 members, including a senior security commander and a close aide to the group’s supreme leader abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Anbar’s western towns of Anah, Qaim and Rawa are still held by the extremist group since 2014, when it occupied one third of Iraq to proclaim a self-styled Islamic Caliphate. Iraqi troops were able to return life back to normal in the biggest cities of Anbar including Fallujah, Ramadi and others after recapturing them.
Fighter jets from the Iraqi army and the international coalition regularly pound IS locations in the province.
In late July, a military source was quoted saying that Lt.Gen Abdul-Amir Yarallah, commander of the Nineveh Operations, ordered to besiege IS havens in western Anbar preparing to invade them.