Offensive likely to be launched in Anbar on Saturday: Paramilitary source

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Military offensive are likely to start early on Saturday to liberate Islamic State’s holdout in west of Anbar province, a source from the pro-government paramilitary troops was quoted saying.

“U.S. force arrived at Ain al-Assad base in al-Baghdadi region, Anbar, in the afternoon within arrangements to launch expected campaign early on Saturday,” the source from al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) told Baghdad Today on Friday.

“The operation will liberate the town of Annah, so the troops would be based in T1 base, located near the town,” the source, who asked for anonymity, added.

On Thursday, Emad al-Dulaimi, Rutba mayor, said in remarks that the first phase of military operation to liberate two regions of Okashat and Annah will be launched simultaneously within the coming few hours.

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.