Policeman killed, another injured in landmine explosion in Anbar
An Iraqi soldier removes an unexploded anti-tanks land mine.
Anbar (Iraqinews.com) – A policeman was killed while another was injured Sunday in a landmine explosion at Al-Qa’im district in Anbar, a security source was quoted as saying.
“A landmine planted by Islamic State went off while a police patrol was passing by al-Basateen area at Al-Qa’im district in Anbar, leaving a policeman dead and another injured,” the source told Basnews.
“The explosion caused damage to the police vehicle as well,” the source said, adding that Islamic State militants planted several bombs and landmines at Al-Qa’im and Anah districts in Anbar to target policemen and civilians.
Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in Iraq earlier in November with the recapture of Rawa, a city on Anbar’s western borders with Syria, which was the group’s last bastion in Iraq.
Islamic State declared a self-styled “caliphate” in a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014. A government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and a U.S.-led international coalition, was launched in 2016 to retake IS-held regions, managing to retake all havens.
Last month, Abadi announced full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.
The surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has resulted in over 3 million internally displaced persons across Iraq and left more than 11 million in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.