Iraqi army opens route preparing to invade IS haven in Anbar
Iraqi government forces are seen near the Falahat village west of Fallujah on June 27, 2016.
Iraqi forces took the Islamic State group’s last positions in the city of Fallujah on June 26, establishing full control over one of the jihadists’ most emblematic bastions after a month-long operation. / AFP PHOTO / MOADH AL-DULAIMI
Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi army forces cleared on Sunday a route leading to Islamic State-held areas in western Anbar preparing for an attack, a security source was quoted saying.
Alghad Press quoted the source saying that army troops opened al-Sakra barricade, opening the road to the IS-held town of Annah preparing for a “liberation offensive”.
Islamic State militants have held the towns of Annah, Rawa and Qaim, on the borders with Syria, since 2014, holding thousands of civilians there. Security reinforcements have reportedly been sent recently near those towns preparing for an attack against the group.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a statement congratulating the nation for the recapture of Akashat region, west of Anbar, in a “snap operation” which he said left hundreds of militants dead.
Naeem al-Kaoud, a member of Anbar council’s security committee, told Almaalomah website that retaking Akashat denies IS its supply routes to the town of Qaim.