Updated: Two Iraqi soldiers killed, five injured in IS attack in Anbar
Iraqi security forces. File photo.
Army Colonel Walid al-Dulaimi told Anadolu that the IS launched an attack with medium and heavy weapons on an Iraqi army position west of Rutba district.
“Violent clashes took place between the troops and IS elements, leaving two soldiers dead and five others injured,” al-Dulaimi added, noting that troops managed to kill five IS elements.
Earlier today, a security source told Alsumaria news that Several Islamic State fighters were killed and injured as an army force repulsed an attack by the militants on its position west of Rutba district.
Iraqi security forces face almost daily attacks on their positions by IS elements.
Despite being controlled by security troops, Rutba faces IS attacks every now and then that are being encountered by security.
Iraqi troops were able to retake the biggest cities of Anbar including Fallujah, Ramadi and others. However, Anbar’s western towns of Annah, Qaim and Rawa are still held by the extremist group since 2014, when it emerged to proclaim a self-styled Islamic Caliphate.
Despite being occasionally pounded by Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition fighter jets, Tthere has not been an officially-declared military campaign to free those regions.
A brief assault was launched by Anbar’s military command province’s military command early January that managed to recapture some western villages before stopping again.