News / Iraq / Syria

Iraqi air forces hit Daesh positions in Syria in coordination with Damascus

Thursday, 19 April 2018 12:40 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 19 April 2018 12:43 PM ]

This file photo shows an Iraqi F-16 fighter jet.

The Iraqi air force says has launched deadly strikes against Daesh positions in Syria as both neighboring countries step up efforts to get rid of the Takfiri terror group’s remnants.

The office of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced in a statement on Thursday that Daesh positions in Syria came under attack from the Iraqi side of the border.

The raids were ordered by the premier “because of the danger they [terrorists] pose to Iraqi territory,” the statement said.

The Iraqi military’s spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool, also said F-16 fighter jets were used in the operation, which was carried out in coordination with the Damascus government.

Daesh first emerged in Syria and Iraq back in 2014, capturing swathes of land in both neighboring states.

It took over three years for the national Iraqi and Syrian armies to liberate those areas from the grip of the world’s most notorious terror outfit.

Damascus and Baghdad declared Syria and Iraq fully free of Daesh late last year and have since been involved in clear-up operations against the extremist group’s remnants.

Despite the collapse of Daesh, Iraq’s border regions with Syria are still suffering from sporadic attacks by the remaining terrorists.

This photo taken from Iraqi media shows Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, surrounded by top military commanders, arriving in the northern city of Mosul to declare victory over Daesh.

Abadi had vowed on Wednesday that his country would continue to chase Daesh terrorists not only inside Iraq but also elsewhere in the region.

“The mission is not easy, but we shall make another miracle after that of the grand victory,” the premier said.

Iraq’s announcement coincides with a new Syrian government push against Daesh terrorists and other Takfiri militants holed up in districts south of the capital, Damascus, including Yarmouk, which is home to a Palestinian refugee camp.

Earlier in the day, the Syrian army gave the terrorists with Daesh and the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, better known as al-Nusra Front, 48 hours to agree to withdrawal from the areas south of Damascus or face of a large-scale military operation.

“If they refuse, the army and supporting forces are ready to launch a military operation to end the presence of the organization in the area,” Syrian newspaper al-Watan reported on Thursday.