Islamic State members gather at some regions, west of Anbar: Source
An Iraqi border sign in Anbar.
Speaking to Almaalomah website, the source from the pro-government al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) said, “intelligence sources indicated infiltration of some IS militants into west of Ramadi city to launch attacks against security troops.”
Security troops, according to the source, “took strict measures and started wide-scale campaigns targeting regions that are near from where the militants are hiding.”
Anbar provincial council had previously indicated infiltration by militants from Syria toward western Anbar regions without being targeted by U.S. jets.
Last week, the Joint Operations Command said the group’s supreme leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is at Eastern Euphrates region, where U.S. troops are deployed.
In April, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi denied intentions to intervene within Syrian affairs, saying airstrikes against Islamic State will continue.
Iraq had previously announced launching airstrikes against IS locations in Syria. This came after Abadi said security troops will follow IS militants in the whole region, not only in Iraq.
The Iraqi-Syrian borders are under the control of joint troops of military and border guards.
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.