Daesh terror group loses more territory in Iraq’s Anbar

By Suleiman al-Qubaisi

ANBAR, Iraq

The army on Wednesday recaptured the Al-Dabour Island region in Iraq’s western Anbar province from the Daesh terrorist group, Iraqi Army General Qassim al-Muhammadi told Anadolu Agency.

"The Iraqi army, backed by airstrikes carried out by the international coalition and the Hashd al-Ashaeri [a pro-government Sunni tribal militia], has completely retaken the area," said al-Muhammadi, who is leading Iraqi army operations in the area.

Located 70 kilometers west of provincial capital Ramadi, Anbar’s Al-Dabour Island is a peninsular area surrounded by the Euphrates River.

"At least 30 Daesh militants were neutralized in the operation," al-Muhammadi asserted. "We’re now preparing to liberate the Hit Island region some 70 kilometers northwest of Ramadi."

In mid-2014, Daesh captured Mosul -- Iraq’s second largest city -- along with vast swathes of territory in the country’s northern and western regions.

In recent months, the Iraqi army has managed to retake much territory. Nevertheless, Daesh remains in control of several parts of the country, including Mosul.

Army forces and peshmerga fighters have recently captured a number of areas on the outskirts of Mosul, which Iraqi officials have vowed to recapture by year’s end.