OSINT SUMMARY
Iraqi army has deployed reinforcement to a military base in western province of Anbar in readiness for an operation aimed at retaking strategic city from Islamic State terrorists.
According to Iraqi’s Major General Ali Ibrahim Daboun, major military reinforcements arrived to Ain al-Asad base located in the Hit district of Anbar Province on Monday 22nd February 2016.
Military official also hinted that forces from counter-terrorism service and police will participate in the liberation of the city of Hit located northwest of provincial capital Ramadi and the nearby Kubaisa area.
City of Ramadi was liberated in December 2015 almost a year after coming under Daesh’s control. Liberation of Ramadi marked one of the most significant victories of Iraqi armed forces since the terror group’s rise in the country in early 2014.
Iraqi forces in the past few days have regained control of a number of areas east of Ramadi, where they are engaged in clean-up operations. The forces are now focusing on militant-held areas especially north of the city.
On Monday, Iraqi forces thwarted a Daesh attack targeting a military base in the recently liberated al-Hamidiyah killing 46 terrorists.
Northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued with violence since Daesh militants launched offensives in June 2014 taking control of portions of Iraqi territory.
Islamic State militants have been committing vicious atrocities against all ethnic and religious communities in Iraq, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians.
