Islamic State close down western Anbar cybercafe, arrest clients

Annah (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State militants have closed down cyber cafes at their western Anbar haven, arresting all young clients inside, a source was quoted saying as the province anticipates imminent military action to drive out the extremist group.

The security source told Alghad Press that the militants closed the cafes in the towns of Annah and Rawa, west of Anbar, and arrested all inside.

Islamic State has held the towns of Annah, Rawa and Qaim since 2014, when it proclaimed an Islamic “caliphate” in Iraq and Syria. Recent news reports have said military reinforcements were sent to areas near those towns preparing for an invasion against IS. The Iraqi Joint Operations Command has, meanwhile, declared that its coming battle would be in IS-held Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk. So far, U.S.-backed government forces recaptured Mosul, Islamic State’s former capital, and the town of Tal Afar, a major haven west of Mosul.

Since taking over a third of Iraq in 2014, Islamic State militants have cracked down on civilians’ use of means of communication, executing dozens for collaboration with security forces.

Recent reports from Anbar have also said that the militants had forcibly recruited young people to fight for the group.