Iraqi mobilization kill 11 Islamic State militants near Syrian borders

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi paramilitary troops said Tuesday they killed eleven Islamic State members near the Iraqi borders with Syria as military operations prepare to retake the last group holdouts there.

The Popular Mobilization Forces’ media service said troops repelled an attack by the group at al-Hamadaniya Triangle, which links the city of Ramadi to Syria’s Hassaka.

The attackers were trying to make use of a sandstorm that hit the area, according to the statement. It said eleven militants, including five suicide bombers, were killed.

The Iraqi government declared late September an offensive to retake Islamic State-held towns of Annah, Rawa and Qaim, west of Anbar, which the militants have held since 2014. Operations have, so far, recaptured Annah, and preparations are reportedly underway to invade Rawa.

Iraqi troops, backed by PMF, are also in parallel operations to recapture Islamic State-held town of Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk. Ending the simultaneous operations successfully would mean a complete elimination of Islamic State’s territorial influence in Iraq.

Iraq regained control over Islamic State’s former capital, Mosul, early July and shortly later took over the town of Tal Afar, marking the strongest blows to the militant’s self-styled “caliphate”.