Booby-traps, civilians hinder western Anbar recapture

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Stranded civilians and booby-traps have hindered security operations seeking to retake western areas of Anbar, a municipal official has said as security onslaughts on Islamic State strongholds there halted recently.

Abdul-Karim Mahmoud, mayor of the town of Annah, said the clearing of western Anbar from militants had been delayed due to explosive devices and landmines planted by the group at the entrances of Annah, as well as the existence of hundreds of civilian families at residential areas.

“Annah is home to several families that migrated from western Anbar and Ramadi when they were still under Islamic State control,” the official said, pointing out shortages in food and medical supplies due to IS control over the town for three years.

Security sources in Anbar said three days ago that the recently-launched military operations, backed by tribal militias, had stopped until security troops consummate the liberation of Mosul, Islamic State’s largest stronghold in Iraq that has been witnessing a more remarkable operation since October to drive out IS militants.

IS militants have, according to aid groups and security officials, maintained civilian hostages to use them as human shields since security offensives began.

The brief offensive on Anbar has managed to retake some villages surrounding IS strongholds at the western areas, according to commanders on the field.