Iraqi Army, Popular Mobilization Forces launch offensive at strategic village of Rutbah

Iraqi army and allied forces launched an operation on Monday to retake the town of Rutba from the Takfiri group, ISIS.

Iraqi army and allied forces launched an operation on Monday to retake the town of Rutba from the Takfiri group, ISIS.

Al-Jazeera Operations Command, Brigadier General Ibrahim Daaboun, announced the start of the operation to liberate Rutba, noting that Popular Mobilization Forces were also taking part in the operation.

Tanks and artillery are taking part in the operation, which is also backed by air support from Iraqi forces and the US-led coalition against ISIS, the statement added.

Rutba, located in western Anbar province along the main road to Jordan, has been held by the Takfiri group since 2014.

Daaboun said that the operation started from the town’s western, southern and eastern fronts.