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Iraqi forces recapture two areas in Anbar from Daesh terrorists

Saturday, 12 March 2016 4:49 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 12 March 2016 4:48 PM ]

Iraqi soldiers gather at the front line in al-Anbar desert, 50 kilometers (31 miles) northeast of Hadithah on March 9, 2016. © AFP

Iraqi counter-terrorism forces have fully liberated two districts in the conflict-ridden western province of Anbar, purging the areas of members of the Daesh Takfiri militant group.

The Iraqi military media office said in a statement on Saturday that the forces had managed to establish complete control over al-Safiriya and Albu Tayban regions on Saturday, and raised Iraqi flags over a number of buildings, Arabic-language al-Sumaria satellite television network reported.

Iraqi counter-terrorism forces also distributed foodstuff as well as medical supplies among thousands of affected families, and moved them to safer places.

The government troopers also detonated three vehicles rigged with explosives.

Meanwhile, Anwar al-Asi, a commander of the pro-government Popular Mobilization Units, said his forces have repelled Daesh assaults against Ajil and Alas oilfields, located northeast of Salahuddin provincial capital city of Tikrit. The Iraqi forces killed 25 of the extremists and wounded 20 others in the process.

A total of twenty members of the Iraqi army, security and Popular Mobilization Units also lost their lives during the heavy clashes.

Separately, Commander of the third Battalion of the 30th Brigade of the Iraqi Army, Major General Zana Khalil, was fatally shot by a Daesh sniper south of Fallujah, located roughly 69 kilometers (43 miles) west of Baghdad.

Iraqi army and counter-terrorism forces evacuate civilians on March 10, 2016 after retaking the town of Zankura, northwest of Ramadi, from Daesh terrorists in Anbar Province. © AFP

Brigadier General Sarhad Qadir, Kirkuk’s provincial police chief, also said Kurdish Peshmerga forces thwarted a Daesh attack against their base in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, and killed five bombers clad in explosive-laden jackets.

Qadir added that a Peshmerga fighter was also killed and four others were injured during the fierce skirmishes.

The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by violence ever since Daesh Takfiri terrorists began their march through the Iraqi territory in June 2014.

Iraqi army soldiers and fighters from Popular Mobilization Units are seeking to win back militant-held regions in joint operations.

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