Iraqi forces liberate more than 21,000km2 of territory near Syrian border – map

The Iraqi Armed Forces have liberated more than 21,000 square kilometers of territory in the Al-Anbar Governorate since launching their Syrian border offensive early last week.

Backed by the Popular Mobilization Units (Hashd Al-Sha’abi) and Federal Police, the Iraqi Army managed to reach the southern outskirts of Al-Qa’im this past weekend after advancing north along the Syrian border.

With their soldiers at the southern outskirts of Al-Qa’im, the Iraqi Armed Forces are expected to liberate the city within the coming days.

Al-Qa’im was first occupied by the Islamic State during their campaign in the Summer of 2014; since its capture, the city has become one of the terrorist group’s most important strongholds near the Syrian border-crossing.