Iraq liberates more areas from Daesh south of Fallujah

The Iraqi army and allied volunteer fighters have managed to liberate more territories from Daesh terrorists on the outskirts of the recently-liberated city of Fallujah.

Security sources said on Thursday that the Iraqi troops retook control of two districts of Albu Ifan and al-Dhaviyah south of Fallujah in Anbar Province.

The new gains come days after the Iraqi military announced the full liberation of Fallujah, located around 60 kilometers from Baghdad, but clashes have continued with the remaining militants around the city.

Raji al-Issawi, a member of the security committee in Anbar, said the recapture of the two districts marked the complete defeat of Daesh in the southern countryside of the city.

He said the two areas were taken back with almost no confrontation as the militants escaped before the military operation began.

Military sources also announced earlier on Thursday the liberation of the nearby al-Hossa area.

Major General Ismail al-Mahlawi, head of the Anbar Operations Command, said Iraqi tribal fighters contributed to the offensive in Hossa, which inflicted heavy losses on Daesh terrorists.

Fallujah fell to Daesh in early 2014. The city was a key bastion for the militants as they launched various attacks on civilians and security forces from the area.

Meanwhile, military officials said Thursday that Iraq’s air force and coalition warplanes have targeted the Daesh militants fleeing Fallujah in large convoys over the past few days.

The air raids killed some 150 Daesh members and destroyed some 260 vehicle belonging to the terrorists.

SS