IS militants killed, booby-trapping workshops destroyed in army airstrike in Anbar

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Several Islamic State militants were killed, while booby-trapping workshops were destroyed in airstrikes launched by the Iraqi army, the military media reported.

A statement by the Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell said, “based on information from the Counter-Terrorism Service, the Iraqi F-16 jets launched airstrikes in Qaim, western Anbar.”

“The airstrike left booby-trapping workshops destroyed and several IS militants killed,” the statement said.

Earlier on the day, Iraqi security commanders reportedly convened in Ain al-Assad military air base in Anbar to lay down plans for invading Qaim and Rawa. Government and paramilitary troops in the province have already cut off supply routes to the militants in the two towns.

Security sources said that warplanes from the U.S.-led coalition pounded IS members in Qaim while setting up barricades preparing for an attack on security forces, killing ten of them.

Anbar’s western towns of 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. In late September, Iraqi army announced the total recapture of Annah. Troops also liberated Akashat region, between Rutba town, on borders with Jordan, and Qaim, on borders with Syria.