Iraqi Army launches final operation against ISIS
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TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraq’s prime minister early on Thursday announced the start of an operation to retake the last Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL) positions in the country’s western border regions.
Haider al-Abadi said Iraqi forces have started an offensive to liberate the western border region of al-Qaim and Rawa, Daesh’s last stronghold in the country, near the border with Syria, Al Sumaria news agency reported.
“Daeshis (Daesh members) have no option but to die or surrender,” al-Abadi said in a statement.
“The legions of heroism and sacrifice are moving to eliminate the last bastion of terrorism in Iraq.
“Our people are with you. Right is on your side. Move ahead and victory is your ally.”
Ahead of a military operation, the Iraqi army, early Wednesday, dropped leaflets over the western border region of al-Qaim and Rawa, telling residents to stay away from the Daesh terrorists.
In recent months, Daesh has suffered military setbacks and lost ground in Iraq.
Daesh’s self-declared cross-border caliphate effectively collapsed in July, when Iraqi forces captured Mosul, the group's de facto capital in Iraq, in a grueling battle that lasted nine months.
Also, on October 5, al-Abadi said Iraqi armed forces had liberated Hawijah, driving Daesh Takfiris out of their last bastion in the oil-rich northern province of Kirkuk.
On August 31, the northwestern city of Tal Afar, located 200 kilometers northwest of Kirkuk, and the entire Nineveh province were purged of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
Daesh extremists are now only in control of al-Qaim and Rawa, in Iraq. Both towns lie on the Euphrates River, and are situated in Anbar province.
