Illustrative image. Source: the Iraqi Ministry of Defense.
On March 12, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) announced that it had eliminated 22 ISIS terrorists, including senior leaders of the terrorist group, during a special operation in the western Iraqi province of al-Anbar.
Lieutenant General Abdul Wahab al-Saedi, head of the service, told a press conference that the operation, codenamed Knights of Truth, was carried out upon direct orders from Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.
“The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces ordered a special operation in the area south of al-Qaim, north of Al-Rutba, in al-Anbar,” the commander said. “After verifying the information obtained by the intelligence, the operation was planned.”
According to the commander, the force that carried out the operation first landed from air, then advanced covertly to the targeted area.
“The area where the terrorists were located is complex and difficult to reach, in addition to the fact that most of them were wearing explosive belts,” Lt. Gen. al-Saedi said. “When the clashes began, some terrorists blew themselves up, and 22 terrorists were killed, including well-known leaders, the most important of whom was Barzan Hussein Ali, who held the position of the Wali [governor] of Fallujah, as well as the Wali of the South, and Rukan Hamid Allawi, in addition to other names, 14 of whom were known.”
Weapons, military equipment, computers and mobile phones were seized during the operation, which the CTS carried out in coordination with the Iraqi Intelligence Service.
This was the second such operation by the CTS in less than a month. On February 26, a force from the service eliminated 17 terrorists of ISIS near the town of Akashat in al-Anbar. One of the slain terrorists was described as a “very senior commander” of the group.
Iraq announced the defeat of ISIS in 2017. However, the terrorist group’s remnants are still waging an insurgency in different parts of the country.
this video looks very suspicious. to much hollywood and to soon. Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani reaction on the SA and Iran reconciliation
Huzzah !!!!
Well done CTS!!