Iraqi army retakes police station of Anbar’s Annah
Iraqi security forces ride in vehicles travelling to Mosul to fight against militants of Islamic State at an Iraqi army base in Camp Taji in Baghdad, February 21, 2016. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad
Annah (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi army and security forces recaptured on Thursday the police station of one of Islamic State’s last three bastions in western Anbar as the government embarked on a wide-scale campaign to clear the group’s last havens in the country.
A security source told Alghad Press that forces took over the police station of Annah, besides the fire brigade unit and an oil station.
“Advances continue but with utmost caution,” said the source.
Iraqi Army
Iraqi army forces invaded Annah on Wednesday, hours after recapturing neighboring Rayhanna area. Military and paramilitary sources said the troops, backed by the Popular Mobilization Forces, regained control over a number of neighborhoods in the town. Military media said up to 30 militants were killed since offensives launched.
Anbar’s western towns of Annah, Qaim and Rawa have been held by the extremist group since 2014, when it occupied one third of Iraq to proclaim a self-styled Islamic Caliphate. Iraqi troops were able to return life back to normal in the biggest cities of Anbar including Fallujah, Ramadi and others after recapturing them in 2015 and 2016.
Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Joint Operations Command declared the start of offensives to retake IS-held regions in Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces.