Islamic State militants killed as Iraqi army repulses attack, west of Anbar

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi troops repulsed an attack by the Islamic State attack against units in west of Anbar, a security source from the province was quoted saying.

“Army troops repelled on Sunday an IS attack against its headquarters in al-Dabaa region, southeast of Rutba,” the source said in remarks.

“Troops managed to kill several IS militants, while others escaped to the southern desert in Rutba,” the source, who asked to remain anonymous, added, without giving details on the number of militants.

Rutba is controlled by security troops, however, the town faces IS militants attacks every now and then that are being encountered by security.

Iraqi joint troops managed on Saturday to liberate Akashat region, between Rutba town, on borders with Jordan, and Qaim, on borders with Syria.

The militant group withdrew from the hours, few hours after an offensive was launched there, heading toward Qaim, with no resistance against the troops, a source said.

Anbar’s western towns of Anah, 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.

Fighter jets from the Iraqi army and the international coalition regularly pound IS locations in the province.