Iraq starts 2nd phase of ops to clear desert areas of Daesh
Iraqi forces have begun a new push to clear the last areas in the country’s arid west of pockets of Takfiri Daesh terrorists.
Troops and Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Sha’abi) “launched a major drive to clear areas of the al-Jazeera region between Nineveh and Anbar [Provinces] in the second phase of operations,” the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a statement on Friday.
The first phase, which had begun on November 23, cleared 50 percent of the total desert area of around 29,000 square kilometers.
Daesh began a terror campaign in Iraq in 2014, overrunning vast swathes in lightning attacks. Iraqi forces then launched operations to eliminate Daesh and retake lost territory, and last month, Iraqi forces liberated Rawa, the last remaining town in the grip of the outfit.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has, however, reserved announcing an ultimate victory over the terrorist group until after those last small concentrations are cleansed.
During a visit to the Middle East on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he expected Iraq to declare victory over Daesh by the end of this month.
MP: US accountable for possible Israeli 'foolishness' to attack Iraq
PM Sudani slams Israeli letter to UNSC as ‘pretext to justify aggression against Iraq’
Iraq resistance strikes ‘vital’ Israeli target as Tel Aviv asks Baghdad to prevent attacks
Putin vows more test of new hypersonic missile
VIDEO | Jordanians continue rallies to denounce Israeli genocide in Gaza, Lebanon
6 Israeli soldiers commit suicide: Reports
Diplomat discourages recourse to pressure, intimidation, confrontation against Iran
UN: 2024 deadliest year for aid workers amid genocide in Gaza
Gaza health official warns of hospital shutdowns within 48 hours
Israel kills 5 more paramedics in southern Lebanon: Health ministry
Iran to launch ‘new, advanced’ centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution: AEOI
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
