Security forces launch offensive to free town from IS in western Iraq

Security forces on Monday launched an offensive to liberate a town from Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq's western province of Anbar, a military commander said.

The troops and allied paramilitary Sunni tribal units, covered by Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition aircraft, began in the morning their advance in three routes toward the IS-held town of Rutba, some 370 km west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, Maj. Gen. Ali Ibrahim Dab'oun, commander of Jazera and Badiyah Operations, said in a press release.

Dab'oun, whose command is responsible for security of the western desert in Anbar province, said that his troops are moving on the main roads leading to the town as explosive experts are defusing roadside bombs planted by IS militants.

Meanwhile, security forces killed two suicide bombers as they tried to attack the advancing forces, Dab'oun said, adding that he expects fierce clashes in Rutba on Tuesday.

The operation is also designed to reopen the international road between Baghdad and Amman, the capital of the neighboring Jordan, he added.

Last December, government troops recovered Ramadi, the provincial capital of Iraq's largest province of Anbar.

Iraqi security forces and allied paramilitary units have been battling IS militants for regain control of territories in northern and western Iraq that have been seized by the IS since June 2014. Endit