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Reports Of Large-Scale Operation Against IS In Anbar


Police vehicles are parked next to debris in the Anbar town of Hit earlier this month.
Police vehicles are parked next to debris in the Anbar town of Hit earlier this month.

There are conflicting reports emerging about the Islamic State (IS) group's advances around Hit in Anbar province.

Reports in the Iraqi press on October 23 said that a large-scale military campaign is to be launched against Islamic State (IS) gunmen near the Al-Furat sub-district, which is just east of Hit in Iraq's Anbar province.

The report came as the BBC's Arabic Service said that IS gunmen were in control of the Al-Furat sub-district.

Iraq's Shafaaq news reported on October 22 that IS militants had launched a major offensive against Al-Furat, and that the Iraqi Air Force had launched strikes against IS in the area.

Al-Iraq Net reported on October 23 that reinforcements had been sent to help combat IS militants in the area.

An RFE/RL correspondent in Iraq reported on October 22 that IS militants had launched a three-pronged attack on Amiriyat Al-Fallujah east of Ramadi, the fiercest in around two months, resulting in heavy clashes with tribal and security forces. The correspondent cited a source in Anbar Operations as saying that Iraqi air attacks managed to destroy six tanks that IS militants were attempting to drive into Amiriyat Al-Fallujah. 30 militants were also killed, the source said.

Amid the fighting, the Anbar provincial council is constructing temporary housing in Ramadi, Haditha, Al-Khalidiya, and Al-Habbaniyah for Iraqis displaced by IS militants. The displaced civilians are currently living in tents or in schools and government buildings, according to the council.

-- Joanna Paraszczuk

About This Blog

"Under The Black Flag" provides news, opinion, and analysis about the impact of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Syria, Iraq, and beyond. It focuses not only on the fight against terrorist groups in the Middle East, but also on the implications for the region and the world.

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