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Isis suicide attacks kill at least 17 Iraqi troops in western Anbar province | Isis suicide attacks kill at least 17 Iraqi troops in western Anbar province |
(7 months later) | |
Islamic State (IS) extremists have unleashed a wave of suicide attacks targeting the Iraqi army in western Anbar province, killing at least 17 troops. | Islamic State (IS) extremists have unleashed a wave of suicide attacks targeting the Iraqi army in western Anbar province, killing at least 17 troops. |
It is a major blow to government efforts to dislodge the militants from the sprawling Sunni heartland, an Iraqi military spokesman said. | It is a major blow to government efforts to dislodge the militants from the sprawling Sunni heartland, an Iraqi military spokesman said. |
The attacks came just hours after the Iraqi government announced the start of a wide-scale operation to recapture areas under the control of the IS group in Anbar. | The attacks came just hours after the Iraqi government announced the start of a wide-scale operation to recapture areas under the control of the IS group in Anbar. |
Brigadier General Saad Maan Ibrahim, the spokesman for the Joint Military Command, said that the attacks took place outside the IS-held city of Fallujah late yesterday. | Brigadier General Saad Maan Ibrahim, the spokesman for the Joint Military Command, said that the attacks took place outside the IS-held city of Fallujah late yesterday. |
The militants struck near a water control station and a lock system on a canal between Lake Tharthar and the Euphrates River where army forces have been deployed for the Anbar offensive, he said. | The militants struck near a water control station and a lock system on a canal between Lake Tharthar and the Euphrates River where army forces have been deployed for the Anbar offensive, he said. |
Brig Gen Ibrahim added that the extremists used a sandstorm that engulfed most of Iraq last night to launch the deadly wave of bombings. | Brig Gen Ibrahim added that the extremists used a sandstorm that engulfed most of Iraq last night to launch the deadly wave of bombings. |
He said it was not clear how many suicide attackers were involved in the bombings but they hit the military from multiple directions. | |
Last month, the water station fell into the hands of IS militants - following attacks that also included multiple suicide bombings and that killed a general commanding the 1st Division and a dozen other officers and soldiers. | Last month, the water station fell into the hands of IS militants - following attacks that also included multiple suicide bombings and that killed a general commanding the 1st Division and a dozen other officers and soldiers. |
Iraqi government forces recaptured the station a few days later. | |
The Iraqi operation to retake Anbar, which is said to be backed by Shiite militias and Sunni pro-government fighters, is deemed critical in regaining momentum in the fight against IS. | The Iraqi operation to retake Anbar, which is said to be backed by Shiite militias and Sunni pro-government fighters, is deemed critical in regaining momentum in the fight against IS. |