Army officer killed, two soldiers wounded in house explosion in Anbar

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) An army officer was killed, while two other soldiers were wounded as a booby-trapped house exploded in western Anbar, a security source said on Friday.

“While security troops were inspecting regions in Rawa, a booby-trapped house in al-Mu’alimin district exploded, leaving a lieutenant general killed and two soldiers severely injured,” the source from Anbar Operations Command told BasNews.

“Tens of booby-trapped houses in Rawa have not been identified yet, as Islamic State planted hundreds of bombs before the the town was liberated,” the source, who asked to remain anonymous, added.

Security troops, according to the source, are keen on securing the civilians fearing further explosions caused by the war remnants.

Four Islamic State members were arrested on Thursday during a security campaign in Annah town, the command said. Moreover, three underground tunnels and a pickup truck belonging to the group, south of the city of Haditha, were uncovered, while 15 explosive devices were detonated in the city of Ramadi.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said during his weekly press in November that his country has defeated Islamic State over the military level, but will declare final victory after desert areas are purged of militants.

Earlier in November, Iraqi forces recaptured Anbar’s western town of Rawa, the very last bastion under Islamic State control.

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