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Iraqi forces deal heavy blows to Daesh militants

Sunday, 03 January 2016 7:15 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 03 January 2016 7:15 AM ]

Iraqi forces battle Daesh terrorists as they try to secure the neighborhoods of Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s western province of Anbar, on January 1, 2016. ©AFP

Iraqi government forces, backed by military aircraft, have carried out successful clean-up operations against the Daesh terrorist group in some parts of the Arab country, inflicting heavy losses on the Takfiri militants.

On Saturday, at least 27 Daesh terrorists were killed when Iraqi army troopers and fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units thwarted an offensive by the extremists on Samarra Barrage, which is built on the Tigris River and adjacent to the city of Samarra, on Saturday evening, Arabic-language Sky News Arabia satellite news network reported.

Separately, Iraqi security forces foiled a Daesh assault on al-Maziq region, which lies east of Anbar’s provincial city of Ramadi, killing 13 of the Takfiri militants in the process.

Members of Iraq’s elite counter-terrorism service use their military vehicles to patrol the city of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province, on December 29, 2015, after liberating the city. ©AFP

Meanwhile, nine Daesh terrorists, including a bomb-making expert identified as Darwish Quddus, were killed and eight others wounded when Iraqi fighter jets pounded their position in the city of Shirqat, located some 300 kilometers (190 miles) north of the capital, Baghdad.

Moreover, Iraqi security personnel stormed a militant hideout in the western city of al-Haditha, situated about 240 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of Baghdad, killing scores of terrorists clad in Iraqi army uniforms. Iraqi government forces also destroyed a number of car bombs after the firefight.

In another Saturday development, fighters from Popular Mobilization Units broke the siege of 50 Iraqi army soldiers by Daesh militants in Tharthar area, situated 120 kilometers (74 miles) northwest of the capital.

Members of Iraq’s elite counter-terrorism service gather in the city of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province, on December 29, 2015, after liberating the city from Daesh. ©AFP

Violence has plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since Daesh terrorists launched an offensive in June 2014, and took control of parts of the Iraqi territory.

The militants have been committing crimes against all ethnic and religious communities in Iraq, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and others.

Army soldiers and fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units are currently battling to win back militant-held regions in joint operations.

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