28-03-2024 07:29 PM Jerusalem Timing

Iraqi Army Regains Diyala from ISIL, Launches Campaign to Liberate Anbar

Iraqi Army Regains Diyala from ISIL, Launches Campaign to Liberate Anbar

Iraqi forces have liberated Diyala province from ISIL terrorist group, retaking all populated areas of the eastern province, a top army officer said on Monday.

Iraqi ArmyIraqi forces have "liberated" Diyala province from ISIL terrorist group, retaking all populated areas of the eastern province, a top army officer said on Monday.

"We announce the liberation of Diyala from the (ISIL) organization," Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir al-Zaidi said.

Iraqi forces have regained "complete control of all the cities and districts and sub-districts of Diyala province," he said.

The last battle for a populated part of the province took place from Friday to Monday in the Muqdadiyah area, northeast of Diyala capital Baquba.

Zaidi and district council chief Adnan al-Tamimi both said that Iraqi forces were in control of the entire area, which includes the town of Muqdadiyah and various villages, where the fighting took place.

Zaidi said that more than 50 ISIL terrorists were killed.

The general said that there will still be further fighting against ISIL in the rural Hamreen mountains, which stretch across multiple provinces, including Diyala.

The Iraqi army, backed by the Popular Mobilization forces and the tribal fighters, further launched an extensive campaign to regain control over Anbar province after it liberated swathes of the areas which ISIL controlled what opposes what the American reports circulated.