ISIS Cells Attacked Strategic Highway In Western Iraq Once Again (Photos)

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On March 19, ISIS’s news agency, Amaq, released photos documenting a recent attack by the terrorist group’s cells in the western Iraqi province of al-Anbar.

The attack targeted engineering equipment of the Iraqi military which were deployed near the town of Rutba. The town is located near a strategic highway that links the country’s capital, Baghdad, with both Jordanian capital, Amman, and the Syrian capital, Damascus.

During the attack, ISIS terrorists destroyed three excavators and damaged a truck, that was carrying supplies for the Iraqi military.

ISIS cells have been very active in the outskirts of Rutba, especially along the international highway. On February 24, the terrorists ambushed two vehicles of the Iraqi military near the 20 Kilometer and 40 Kilometer points, both located to the east of Rutba. On March 3, the terrorists targeted a post of the Iraqi military near the 120 Kilometer point, to the east of Rutba. They also attacked two Humvee armored vehicles which were passing on the highway.

The international highway is open in the direction of Amman. However, the road to Damascus is currently blocked by a US garrison in the southeastern Syrian area of al-Tanf.

Iraqi government forces are yet to take serious measures to secure the international highway. The security situation along the highway, especially near Rutba, may deteriorate even further in the near future.

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