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On October 27, the Iraqi Army War Media Cell announced that the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) secured 43 km of the Akashat-al-Qa’im road and an area of 301km2 south of al-Qa’im city. The source added that the PMU captured al-Qa’im cement plant, al-Qa’im Quarries, al-Qa’im station and the water station 70 southwest of the city.
During its advance, the PMU destroyed 3 VBIEDs, and removed over 100 IEDs of ISIS.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Army captured Awani, Northern Jabbab and al-Zalla villages on the southern bank of the Euphrates river 40km west of al-Qai’m city. The Iraqi Army destroyed 4 vehicles, 2 VBIEDS and killed 25 fighters of ISIS during its advance.
Ali Hamdani, the commander of the PMU 11th brigade, told the PMU media wing on October 27 that the Iraqi Army and the PMU are planning to encircle and then to liberate al-Qa’im city during the second phase of the ongoing military operation in western Anbar.
Due to the rapid advance of the Iraqi Army and the PMU, ISIS will likely redeploy its fighters from al-Qa’im city to al-Bukamal city inside Syria. However, with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Hezbollah advance towards al-Bukamal, the end of ISIS looks closers than ever.
Iraq is not actually safe while ISIS is still just on the other side of the border. The word “border” doesn’t actually mean anything to ISIS anyway… PMU (and maybe the Iraqi army too) should (after winning in Iraq) charge to the Syrian side and of course coordinate with SAA ti jointly squish ISIS. It is the most simple and intelligent solution. And shifting the balance of power into SAA’s favor against SDF would also be beneficial to Iraq and the region.
I think that is the plan.
Yup, I’m pretty sure it will happen. :) Can’t wait.
I think there is some advice being given here to the PMU from the Russians, maybe through the Iranians or even directly.
The tactics are absolutely spot on….. “Due to the rapid advance of the Iraqi Army and the PMU, ISIS will likely redeploy its fighters from al-Qa’im city to al-Bukamal city inside Syria.” => surrounded immediately by PMU on one side, the SAA and Hezbollah on the other.