Iraq retakes territory from Islamic State: army
The Iraqi government says it has recaptured the desert area to the west of Samarra from Islamic State forces, and says the operation will move down to recapture Anbar.
For Iraqi troops, this battle has been won. They say they have chased out Islamic State militants in the desert area west of Samarra.
Booby-trapped vehicles were destroyed in the fight, according to officials, along with military hardware and a large quantity of weapons.
The operation here was part of a wider assault to recapture the remaining parts of Salahuddin province.
Major General Imad Majhoul Al-Silawi said, "They lost their balance and withdrew to the far edges of the desert. They left behind the bodies of their dead without being able to evacuate them."
The recaptured area is now being held by the 5th Division Federal Police Force after the withdrawal of the army.
Booby-trapped vehicles were destroyed in the fight, according to officials, along with military hardware and a large quantity of weapons.
The operation here was part of a wider assault to recapture the remaining parts of Salahuddin province.
Major General Imad Majhoul Al-Silawi said, "They lost their balance and withdrew to the far edges of the desert. They left behind the bodies of their dead without being able to evacuate them."
The recaptured area is now being held by the 5th Division Federal Police Force after the withdrawal of the army.