Daesh driven from final redoubt in Iraq

By Suleiman al-Qubaisi

ANBAR, Iraq

Iraqi army forces backed by pro-government tribal fighters and U.S.-led coalition air power have retaken the city of Rawa in Iraq’s western Anbar province, an Iraqi military commander confirmed on Friday.

Located some 230 kilometers west of provincial capital Ramadi, Rawa had been considered the Daesh terrorist group’s last remaining stronghold in Iraq.

“Iraqi military forces backed by Hashd al-Ashaeri [tribal volunteer] fighters are now in full control of Rawa,” Army Major-General Numaan al-Zubai told Anadolu Agency.

“The Iraqi national flag has been raised over the district governor’s headquarters,” al-Zubai added.

Earlier Friday, Army Major-General Qassem al-Mohammadi told Anadolu Agency that U.S.-led coalition warplanes and Iraqi military helicopters were providing air support for Iraqi army units on the ground in and around Rawa.

Daesh has recently suffered a string of crushing defeats in both Iraq and Syria after overrunning vast swathes of territory in both countries in mid-2014.

Late last month, the city of Al-Qaim, also located in Iraq’s western Anbar province, was retaken by the Iraqi army following a weeks-long campaign.