Iraqi troops and militia move against IS in Anbar
Iraqi troops and militia move against IS in Anbar
Two Iraqi army units and 3,000 militiamen move into Anbar province to support the al-Bu Nimr tribe in its fight against the Islamic State group.
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Iraqi forces are moving into Anbar [AFP/Getty]
A force of at least 3,000 militia fighters and two units of the Iraqi army entered Iraq's Anbar province on Tuesday to support the Sunni al-Bu Nimr tribe in its battle against the Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as ISIS).
The Popular Mobilisation militia (al-Hashd al-Shabi), and the army units that entered Anbar were all well-armed, an officer in the province's police force told al-Araby al-Jadeed.
"Thousands of troops and two army regiments are in Habbania airport, east Ramadi, and Ain al-Asad base - ready to take part in a wide operation to regain control of the districts of Hit and Rawa from the IS," he said.
"The Popular Mobilisation fighters who went to Anbar are all from southern tribes including the al-Bu Fatla, al-Bu Ali, Jasim, al-Abour, al-Hamdani, al-Katani and al-Sawaid. They have come to save the Sunni al-Bu Nimr tribe, which has been subjected to daily atrocities by IS troops.
"The militia was previously deployed in north-western Iraq and fought the IS in Diyala, Samarra and Amirli - but this is the first time it has been announced officially, or that such large numbers have come to Anbar."
This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
The Popular Mobilisation militia (al-Hashd al-Shabi), and the army units that entered Anbar were all well-armed, an officer in the province's police force told al-Araby al-Jadeed.
"Thousands of troops and two army regiments are in Habbania airport, east Ramadi, and Ain al-Asad base - ready to take part in a wide operation to regain control of the districts of Hit and Rawa from the IS," he said.
"The Popular Mobilisation fighters who went to Anbar are all from southern tribes including the al-Bu Fatla, al-Bu Ali, Jasim, al-Abour, al-Hamdani, al-Katani and al-Sawaid. They have come to save the Sunni al-Bu Nimr tribe, which has been subjected to daily atrocities by IS troops.
"The militia was previously deployed in north-western Iraq and fought the IS in Diyala, Samarra and Amirli - but this is the first time it has been announced officially, or that such large numbers have come to Anbar."
This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
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