Iraq Launches Airstrikes against ISIL Terrorists in Anbar

Iraqi forces and volunteer groups in Iraq have made fresh gains on Thursday against ISIL terrorists in the western province of Anbar.

Security sources said Friday that nearly 20 ISIL terrorists were killed and 20 others were injured in airstrikes against the Takfiri group in areas close to the provincial capital, Ramadi.

The sources said that the slain militants were of various nationalities, including from Tunisia, Syria and Lebanon.

Iraqi warplanes also bombarded and destroyed a number of vehicles belonging to the terrorists in Hossaybah region on the outskirts of Ramadi, while ground forces discovered a major weapons depot belonging to the militants in the area.

The Iraqi troops clashed with ISIL militants in Anbar’s al-Jaraishi area, seizing weapons and ammunition from the terrorists.

Other reports said that a terrorist attack was foiled by police in Anbar while four officers were executed by ISIL militants in an area identified as Sharqat.

Since the summer of 2014, Iraq has been grappling with deadly militancy across its territory, with ISIL now controlling some areas in the west and north of the country. Earlier in March 2015, Iraqi forces and volunteer groups managed to retake Tikrit, a key bastion of the militants north of the capital, Baghdad.