Iraq forces launch preparatory operation

Iraqi forces launched an operation in desert areas northeast of Ramadi Tuesday aimed at cutting off the jihadists and preparing a bid to retake the city, a militia spokesman said.

The operation will see a mix of security forces and paramilitaries move south from Salaheddin province, said Ahmed al-Assadi, spokesman for the Hashed al-Shaabi.

The Hashed al-Shaabi ("popular mobilisation" in Arabic) is an umbrella group for mostly Shiite militia and volunteers, which the government called in after Daesh group captured Ramadi on May 17.

"The operation's goal is to liberate those regions between Salaheddin and Anbar and try to isolate the province of Anbar," Assadi told AFP.

He said it had been dubbed "Operation Labaik ya Hussein", which roughly translates as "We are at your service, Hussein" and refers to one of the most revered imams in Shiite Islam.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and his US allies had been reluctant to deploy Iran-backed Shiite militia in Anbar, a predominantly Sunni province.

Anbar's provincial capital Ramadi had resisted Daesh assaults for more than a year but fell earlier this month after a massive offensive and a chaotic retreat by security forces.

Daesh group controls most of Anbar, which borders territory it holds in neighbouring Syria.

Pockets of government control include some eastern areas near the capital, the city of Haditha, parts of the town of Al-Baghdadi and the Al-Asad air base, where hundreds of US military advisers are stationed.
Source: AFP