Iraq launches operation to clear western desert of remaining Daesh terrorists

Iraqi forces have launched a mop-up operation to clear the western desert near Syria of remaining Daesh terrorists, days after they fully liberated all the urban areas from the grip of the Takfiri outfit.

Iraqi forces have launched a mop-up operation to clear the western desert near Syria of remaining Daesh terrorists, days after they fully liberated all the urban areas from the grip of the Takfiri outfit.

Iraqi forces backed by fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units, better known as Hashd al-Sha’abi, launched the campaign on Thursday against the militants hiding in a large strip of border land, Iraqi military officials said.

“The objective behind the operation is to prevent remaining Daesh groups from melting into the desert region and using it as a base for future attacks,” Reuters quoted army colonel Salah Kareem as saying.

On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Daesh has been defeated from a military perspective but Baghdad will only declare final victory after the militants are purged from the desert areas.