Iraqi security forces and paramilitary units launched a dawn assault on Tuesday against one of the ISIS group’s last bastions in the vast western province of Anbar bordering Syria.
The Joint Operations Command, which is coordinating Iraqi security forces, said an offensive had begun to retake the town of Anna and the nearby village of Al-Rayhanna.
“Infantry units and armour backed by the Hashed al-Shaabi (PMU) began an offensive to liberate Anna and Al-Rayhanna from Daesh terrorists,” JOC head General Abdelamir Yarallah said. A general in the area said the operation was “developing along three axes” involving the army, police and the PMU, a paramilitary force composed largely Shia militias.
The operation was supported by Iraqi army helicopters and warplanes from the US-led coalition in Iraq and Syria, the general said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The head of Anna’s municipal council, Abdel Karim al-Ani, confirmed the start of the offensive and said security forces had opened a road out of the town to allow civilians to flee.