raqi Army/ Iraqi troops retake police station of Anbar’s Annah

Annah (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi Army/ Iraqi security forces recaptured on Thursday the police station of one of Islamic State’s last three bastions in  western Anbar as the government embarked on a wide-scale campaign to clear the group’s last havens in the country.
“Advances continue but with utmost caution,” said the source.

Iraqi security forces ride in vehicles travelling to Mosul to fight against militants of Islamic State at an Iraqi
army base in Camp Taji in Baghdad, February 21, 2016. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad

 

Iraqi Army

Iraqi army forces invaded Annah on Wednesday, hours after recapturing neighboring Rayhanna area. Military and paramilitary sources said the troops, backed by the Popular Mobilization Forces, regained control over a number of neighborhoods in the town. Military media said up to 30 militants were killed since offensives launched.

Anbar’s western towns of Annah, Qaim and Rawa have been held by the extremist group since 2014, when it occupied one third of Iraq to proclaim a self-styled Islamic Caliphate. Iraqi troops were able to return life back to normal in the biggest cities of Anbar including Fallujah, Ramadi and others after recapturing them in 2015 and 2016.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Joint Operations Command declared the start of offensives to retake IS-held regions in Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces.

Source:iraqinews.com