Illustrative image. Source: the Iraqi Ministry of Defense.
On March 2, Major General Yahya Rasool, a spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, announced that three terrorists of ISIS were eliminated in a “preemptive operation” that took place in Heet city in the western province of al-Anbar.
In a statement, the spokesman said that the operation was carried out by a force from the Jazeera Operations Command upon orders from the Iraqi Commander-in-Chief, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, and according to information provided by the Military Intelligence Directorate.
The force, which is made up from the 29th Infantry Brigade, the Tribal Mobilization Units and an intelligence detachment, encircled the terrorists’ hideout in Heet, then eliminated them. One of the slain terrorists was reportedly wearing an explosive belt.
Maj. Gen. Rasool said that the terrorists eliminated in the operation were responsible for an attack that took place in Heet on February 26 and claimed the lives of four Iraqi soldiers. The weapons and equipment of the victims were found in the terrorists’ hideout.
“This heroic operation came as a response and revenge for the righteous martyrs,” the spokesman said. “Terrorism will have no place in the land of great victory.”
The Iraqi military, intelligence and security forces stepped up counter-terrorism operations in the last few weeks. At least 17 terrorists of ISIS were eliminated by the Counter Terrorism Service during a special operation in al-Anbar on February 26.
Despite these efforts, ISIS maintains a strong presence in Iraq, especially in the country’s western, northern and eastern region.
