Iraqi MOD Releases Video of Counter Offensive Against Islamic State in Anbar

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense (MOD) released a video on November 26, of a joint military operation with tribal forces to cleanse Iraq’s Anbar Province of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS or ISIL) militants. The footage purports to show Iraqi soldiers seizing weapons from Hit, Iraq, and other nearby villages that were previously under IS control.

The Iraqi military partnered with tribal fighters in Anbar on November 22, launching a joint counterattack against Islamic State fighters in the areas surrounding Ramadi, where IS reportedly continues to gain ground despite strikes from the US-led coalition.

Local media sources cited witnesses saying IS had seized several areas of Ramadi city. Official statements said the joint offensive had made significant advances.

An earlier video, posted by the Iraqi MOD on November 24, is described as showing Iraqi armed forces in a joint operation with local tribesmen that resulted in liberating areas near Zakhekhah, north of Hit, which had been seized by IS on October 2. Credit: Iraqi MOD