Iraqi forces kill over two dozen ISIL terrorists

Monday, 13 July 2015 1:59 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 13 July 2015 2:00 PM ]

Iraqi volunteer fighters from the Popular Mobilization flash the sign for victory as they gather on the northern outskirts of Fallujah, west of the capital, Baghdad, to prepare an attack on ISIL positions in the city on July 9, 2015. (© AFP)

Iraq's army troops, backed by fighters from allied Popular Mobilization units, have carried out a series of clean-up operations across the country, killing more than two dozen Takfiri ISIL militants.

On Monday, a total of 17 ISIL extremists were killed after Iraqi forces launched offensives in Anbar Province. Three vehicles rigged with explosives were also destroyed and several explosive belts were confiscated during the raids, Arabic-language al-Forat news agency reported.

The commander of the First Regiment of Popular Mobilization units, Colonel Juma al-Jumaili, also said security personnel supported by volunteer forces killed seven ISIL extremists, among them a Yemeni national known by the nom de guerre Abu Hafsa, during an ambush in the Subhayat region of Anbar Province.

Additionally, Iraqi fighter jets carried out precision strikes against terrorist hideouts in Hay al-Nazal region of the strategic western city of Fallujah, located roughly 69 kilometers (43 miles) west of Baghdad, killing scores of ISIL Takfiris.

Iraqi volunteer fighters from the Popular Mobilization units fire towards ISIL positions during clashes on the northern outskirts of the city of Fallujah, west of the capital, Baghdad, on July 7, 2015. (© AFP)

Iraqi authorities said government forces are now in full control of Mal’ab al-Olambi region east of Anbar’s provincial capital city of Ramadi, situated about 110 kilometers (68 miles) west of Baghdad.

Commander of the 3rd Battalion of the Iraqi Army's 30th Brigade, Colonel Mahmoud Morzi al-Jumaili, also said a high-ranking ISIL militant commander, identified as Mohammad Salem Louh al-Halbousi, was killed as Iraqi security forces purged Saqlawiyah, located roughly 8 kilometers (5 miles) northwest of Fallujah, on Monday.

Meanwhile, government troopers together with volunteer fighters have launched a major operation to take back the troubled western province of Anbar from Takfiri ISIL militants.

Brigadier General Yahya Rasool, the spokesman for the Joint Operations Command, said in a televised statement that the offensive to retake the embattled province started at dawn on Monday.

Members of the Iraqi government forces sit on an armored vehicle outside Fallujah, west of the capital, Baghdad, as they prepare to attack ISIL positions in the city on July 7, 2015. (© AFP)

The comments come as Iraqi troopers have managed to wrest control of Albu Shijil and Shiha districts near the town of Khalidiya, located about 83 kilometers (50 miles) west of Baghdad.

ISIL started its campaign of terror in Iraq in early June 2014. The heavily armed militants took control of Mosul before sweeping through parts of the country’s Sunni Arab heartland.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk