Troops liberate region, set up bridge to invade last IS bastion in Anbar

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Security troops have liberated a region, held by Islamic State militants in their last stronghold in Anbar, a security source from Jazeera Operations Command said.

“Iraqi troops raised the flag above buildings in al-Sa’eedan region, northwest of Rawa, after liberating it. The militants booby-trapped the buildings and roads,” the source told SNG website on Thursday.

“Troops, backed by army jets, managed to kill many IS members,” he said indicating collapse of the militant group’s defense.

In related news, the Iraqi army announced erecting a floating bridge between Annah and Rawa.

“Army started erecting a floating bridge between Annah and Rawa in western Anbar ahead of invading Rawa,” Maj. Gen. Noaman al-Zawba’ie, commander of the seventh division, told Alghad Press.

“The bridges between the two towns are destroyed and cannot be used at the meantime. Thus, another one will be set up so that troops could pass toward Rawa,” he added.

Thirteen villages were freed, while forty-five IS members and two suicide bombers were killed in three days in western Anbar, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the War Media Cell.

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced on Friday liberation of Qaim in record time. Troops also freed Ebeidi and Krabla regions in western Anbar.

Operations were launched, late October, to liberate Qaim and Rawa towns. Both have been held by the extremist group since 2014, when it occupied one third of Iraq to proclaim a self-styled Islamic “Caliphate”.