Iraqi forces successfully liberated town of Rawa from ISIS

Erbil, November 17: The US-backed Iraqi forces on Friday reclaimed the town of Rawa from the most dangerous terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS). Notably, the town of Rawa is located in Anbar province in the Euphrates valley and was the last known Iraqi town still held by ISIS terrorists.

 

The Iraq's Joint Operation Command (IJOC) said in a statement read that the Iraqi national flag was hosted in the town of Rawa, which was reclaimed from ISIS terrorist organization. The offense against ISIS was launched on Friday morning that lasted for only a few hours and Iraqi forces successfully liberated the town of Rawa easily.

The commander of the operations S. Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rasheed Yarallah said that the assault was launched on Friday early morning and by late morning his forces had broken into the centre of Rawa district. “Around midday, the army liberated Rawa entirely,” he added.

Meanwhile, Iraq Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces congratulated the Iraqi forces on the victory and said in a statement that the liberation of Rawa district in mere hours reflects the great strength and power of our heroic armed forces and the successful planning for battles. Operations are ongoing to clear the surrounding desert and secure the border with Syria, Abadi added.

Earlier, in this month, Iraqi forces liberated several key military bases and villages in Al-Qaim which is located in the south-east of the country. Both Al-Qaim and Rawa are located in western Iraq, near the Syrian border, where ISIS holds the last of its territory. Iraqi forces also 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.