Iraqi forces reclaimed several key military bases, villages in Al-Qaim from IS; battle in last phase

Baghdad, October 27: The fall of Islamic State (IS) terrorist group continues in Iraq as it loses several key military bases and villages in Al-Qaim which is located in the south-east of the country. Now, US-backed Iraqi forces have reached the last phase of offensive and very few villages and military bases are under control of ISIS terrorists.

 

Iraq’s regional operations commander General Qassem al-Mohammedi said that government forces have recaptured several key military bases and villages in Al-Qaim governorate. He further said that Iraqi forces are advancing on four fronts - from the east, southeast, north and south to eradicate IS terrorists from the country. “The forces also retook from ISIS half a dozen villages in the area,” he added.

The Iraqi official further said that the government forces have reached the last phase of offensive and very few villages and military bases are under control of IS terrorists. “Soon forces will launch ‘the last big fight’ against IS,” General Qassem al-Mohammedi noted.

Earlier this month, Iraqi forces reclaimed the entire Hawijah area from Islamic State (IS) terrorist in the west of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. While in the month of September this year, Iraqi fighters also reclaimed the entire province strategic Tal Afar after defeating Islamic State terrorists.

At least 200 Islamic State terrorists were killed in the southwestern direction of Tal Afar while 200 others were arrested by the Iraqi troops who were hiding among the displaced civilians in the northeast during the massive offensive drive.

Iraqi forces have recaptured more than 90 percent of the territory IS seized in the country in 2014. The terrorists are now confined to a small stretch of the Euphrates valley linked to territory in Syria where they are also battling to survive. During the intense battle between Iraqi forces and ISIS, more than 30,000 civilians were displaced and thousands of others were used as a shield.

Importantly, Iraqi forces have recaptured more than 90 percent of the territory IS seized in the country in 2014. The terrorists are now confined to a small stretch of the Euphrates valley linked to territory in Syria where they are also battling to survive.