Iraq launches operation toregain western Anbar province from ISIS

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Iraq has announced the launch of an operation to retake western Anbar province from Islamic State.

Iraqi state TV on Tuesday announced the start of the operation, in which troops will be backed by Shia and Sunni paramilitary forces, but did not provide further details.

Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for the Shia paramilitaries known as Hashid al-Shaabi, which are are taking part, said Iraqi forces had launched an operation in desert areas northeast of Ramadi aimed at cutting off the jihadists and preparing a bid to retake the city.

The operation will see a mix of security forces and paramilitaries move south from Salaheddin province, said Mr Assadi.
He said the operation to retake Anbar province will "not last for a long time" and that Iraqi forces have surrounded the provincial capital, Ramadi, from three sides.

Mr Assadi said that new weapons are being used in the battle "that will surprise the enemy."
The operation had been named "Labeyk Ya Hussein", which roughly translates as "We are at your service, Hussein" and refers to one of the most revered imams in Shia Islam.
The Hashed al-Shaabi ("popular mobilisation" in Arabic) is an umbrella group for mostly Shia militia and volunteers, which the government called in after Isil captured Ramadi on May 17.
"The operation's goal is to liberate those regions between Salaheddin and Anbar and try to isolate the province of Anbar," Mr Assadi told AFP.
Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, fell to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) jihadists last Sunday. Isil had already seized large parts of Anbar starting in early 2014.