15 Islamic State members, who exploded security checkpoint, killed in Anbar
Iraqi security forces launch a major operation to stem out IS cells
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Qassem Saleh, commander of Jazeera Operations, said “the terrorist group, which exploded a vehicle in a security checkpoint in Qaim town, west of Anbar, and left many victims killed.”
The operation, according to Saleh, “was carried out in the depth of desert, where the militants were hiding.”
All the 15 militants were killed, he added.
On Monday, five Islamic State members were killed in a security campaign in desert regions, in Wadi Houran, west of Anbar.
Thousands of Islamic State militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016.
Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country. The group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.
In December, the Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced gaining control on all the territories that were captured by Islamic State, since 2014.