Iraqi soldiers fight ISIL militants near Baghdad

Iraqi government forces, backed by Shia fighters and Kurdish Peshmergas, have launched an offensive to retake two towns northeast of the capital, Baghdad, from the Takfiri ISIL militants.

On Saturday, Iraqi forces mounted an operation and advanced into Jalawla, which is situated 115 kilometers (70 miles) from Baghdad, and the nearby town of Saadiya.

The Iraqi army soldiers have been trying to recapture both towns from the ISIL terrorists since the militants overran them in August.

The development comes a day after Iraqi forces conducted an offensive to take full control of Sijariya neighborhood in the east of Ramadi, which is located about 110 kilometers (68 miles) west of Baghdad. The Sijariya area fell into the hands of the ISIL terrorists on Friday.

The ISIL members mounted their latest assault on Ramadi on Thursday night. The center of the city reportedly remains under the Iraqi government’s control, but neighborhoods around the city have been captured by the ISIL militants.

The ISIL terrorists have executed tens of members of a Sunni tribe during their assault on Ramadi.

The ISIL launched an offensive in June and took control of Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul, before sweeping through much of the country’s Sunni Arab heartland.

The extremist group has threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians during its advances in the violence-torn Arab state.