3 February 2018 - 20:41

Iraqi forces launch assault to oust IS from Anbar desert

<p style="text-align: left;">Iraqi forces began on Saturday, February 3, an operation to clear the desert areas of the northern Anbar province from Islamic State (IS) militants, Commander of Anbar Operations Major General Mahmoud al-Falahi said.

The operation is to oust IS from the Anbar desert all the way down to the Iraqi-Saudi border, Falahi said.

According to NRT he added: “The army, police, tribal and border forces, backed by the international coalition, began this morning the large operation.”

The vast desert areas in the province are the last refuge of the IS militants in Iraq after troops and paramilitaries ousted them from both valleys and all urban areas.

Iraq has already declared victory against Islamic State, but the threat from the IS fighters still remain as they retain control in uninhabited desert zones.

Reporter’s code: 50101

News Code 3856