Islamic State executes five leaders over reluctance in western Anbar

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Islamic State has executed five of its leaders in western Anbar over reluctance, a paramilitary official was quoted saying on Tuesday.

“IS executed five leaders in Annah town, west of Ramadi, and punished others,” Qutri al-Obeidi, leader within the Shia-led al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units), told AlSumaria News.

“The group accused the slain and punished leaders of reluctance especially after several members were killed and injured by army and paramilitary troops over the past few days,” Obeidi added.

A source from the army’s command was quoted on Monday as saying that intensive strikes were seen at the towns of Annah and Rawa targeting five rest houses of the extremist group and a building used as a court.

Last week, eleven members were killed as Jazeera Operations Command, along with the Tribal Mobilization Forces, carried out military operations in Anbar desert from two directions toward Annah and Rawa towns.

Anbar’s western towns of Annah, Qaim and Rawa are still 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.