PHOTO: French troops alongside local forces near the Iraqi city of Mosul
The Iraqi Military Security Cell (MSC) announced on June 23 that the Iraqi military had conducted a large-scale anti-terrorism operation southwest of the city of Mosul.
The operation, which took place between June 21 and 23, covered a vast desert region between the city of Hatar and the town of Seneia in western Iraq. The Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) and the US-led coalition backed the operation, conducting at least 8 airstrikes on ISIS positons.
“Multiple landings, pursuits and inspections were carried out in accordance with the rules of engagement of special operations,” the MSC said in a short press release.
As a result of the operation, 10 tunnels and several hideouts of ISIS cells were destroyed. Many fighters of the terrorist group were also killed.
The continued security and military operations in western Iraq have led to major improvement in the region’s security. ISIS cells in the region suffered from heavy losses over the last year, which may have forced most of them to case their activities, or even to escape to al-Anbar’s vast desert.
