Iraq and Libya retake strategic positions from IS
(VOVworld) – Iraq's security forces regained its control of the remote western town of Rutba on Tuesday in a fresh offensive against Islamic State.
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| Iraqi security forces prepare to attack ISIS positions in Hit, 140 kilometers west of Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, April 2, 2016. (Photo:AP) |
Sabah al-Numan, Iraq’s spokesperson for counter-terrorism forces said the force backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes entered the town from the south and took control of al-Intisar district, a police station, hospitals and an important bridge. He said the force faced little resistance in breaching Islamic State defences.
In another development, Libyan military forces said on Tuesday that they had recaptured Abu Grain, one of the main checkpoints south of the city of Misrata, from Islamic State. A spokesperson for Misrata hospital said 7 soldiers were killed and 19 had been wounded in the attack.