Iraqi army begin operation to free Anbar district

Government and volunteer tribal forces in Iraq have kicked off an offensive to recapture a district in the conflict-ridden western province of Anbar from the Takfiri Daesh terrorists.

Operations began to liberate the Dolab district on Wednesday, al-Sumeria news agency reports.

The news agency added that Iraqi forces are advancing on the Daesh-held district from four separate directions and have so far met no resistance by the Takfiri forces.

Dolab, which is located 10 kilometers west of the city of Hit, was occupied by Daesh forces in mid-2014 and used as a military base by the terrorist group to mobilize and launch terrorist attacks on people and security forces.

Latest reports from the operation on Wednesday said army forces liberated three villages, namely Tahmaniyah, Varidiyah, and Donkeyah, in the Dolab district, neutralizing 100 traps, as well as an explosive-laden vehicle placed on their way.

In a spate incident, the unintentional explosion of a terrorist explosive belt at a group gathering attended by Daesh commanders left 16 Takfiris dead and 17 others wounded in Hawijah, southwest of the city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq.

Elsewhere, volunteer forces known as Popular Mobilization Units captured a high-ranking Daesh commander in Makhoul Mountains, in the northern province of Salahuddin.

The Daesh commander was in possession of explosives and mustard gas.

Daesh terrorists have been a source of constant fear and violence in the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since they staged an offensive more than two years ago, seizing control of swathes of Iraqi territory.

The terrorists have carried out brutal crimes against men, women and children of all ethnic and religious groups residing in the regions under their control.

Iraqi army soldiers and fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units are fighting to win back militant-held regions in joint operations.