Iraqi army dismantles 97 IEDs in liberated areas in Anbar
Iraqi security forces. File photo.
A Security source told Alsumaria that a force from the 8th army division managed to find 52 IEDs in several areas in Ramadi, while another force found 45 IEDs east of the city.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source added that the forces dismantled these IEDs.
Security forces continue its efforts to dismantle the explosives planted by IS in the liberated areas.
Early today, intense clashes broke out between Iraqi army forces and paramilitary troops on one side and Islamic State militants in western Anbar deserts.
A military source told Alsumaria News that the clashes flared as an army force, backed by Tribal Mobilization troops, advanced towards the desert areas around the IS-held town of Annah (210 Km west of Ramadi).
Islamic State has held the towns of Annah, Rawa and Qaim since 2014, when they occupied a third of Iraq to proclaim an “Islamic Caliphate”. So far, there has not been a wide-scale campaign to retake those regions, but occasional offensives managed to take over several surrounding villages.
The Ministry of Defense said last week that though the Joint Operations Command gives “special attention” to the liberation of the town of Tal Afar, west of Nineveh, as the next target, troops can launch simultaneous operations also targeting IS havens west of Anbar.