The Iraqi army has announced the beginning of a major offensive against Daesh (ISIS) in Iraq's Anbar province, where the terrorist group retains control of some areas, according to Iran's Press TV news agency.
The Iraqi forces are already advancing on the towns of Rawa and Qa'im on the Euphrates River near Syria's border, in what is touted as a final operation against Daesh in the country.
Press TV described Rawa and Qa'im as Daesh's last safe havens in Iraq.
Last month, Saad Hadithi, spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi, said that that the Iraqi army had regained control over 90 percent of the land that had been occupied by Daesh and that "the final victory is at hand."
Iraq: Army Forces Prepare for Final Anti-Daesh Offensive Near Syria Border
— YemenWeek (@yemenweekcom) 25 октября 2017 г.
25/10/2017https://t.co/0RjHxsCgoX#yemenweek #Iraq #ISIL #Daesh pic.twitter.com/TPRuwD7due
Abadi, meanwhile, pledged earlier in October that the government forces will totally destroy Daesh in Iraq before the end of this year.
In 2014, Daesh seized large territories in northern and western parts of Iraq, which provoked a new wave of violence and instability in the country.
Since then, the Iraqi army has managed to recapture most of that territory, including the country's second largest city of Mosul, which was liberated on July 9, 2017.
