Iraqi Forces Launch Offensive to Liberate Final ISIS Stronghold in Iraq
Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials said they welcome the commencement Thursday of the Iraqi forces’ offensive to liberate Qaim district from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
Qaim is ISIS’ final stronghold in Iraq and approximately 1,500 ISIS fighters are estimated to remain in the immediate vicinity.
Iraqi forces are battle-hardened after their victories in Mosul, Tal Afar and Hawijah, and are a determined, professional force dedicated to ridding Iraq of ISIS, task force officials said.
The coalition provides Iraqi forces with training, equipment, advice, assistance, intelligence and precise air support. The coalition will continue to support Iraq’s government “as we recognize together the importance of a unified Iraq to the long-term security and prosperity of the Iraqi people,” officials said.
Rigorous coalition standards and extraordinary measures in the targeting process seek to protect noncombatants in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict and the principles of military necessity, humanity, proportionality and distinction, task force officials said.
Qaim sits in the Middle Euphrates River Valley on the Syrian border where it connects with the Syrian town of Abu Kamal. Prior to ISIS’ control of the city, Qaim district’s population was around 150,000. “We anticipate a significant return of residents to the district upon Iraq’s liberation of [Qaim],” officials said.
Iraq’s government and the Iraqi forces, with the support of the global coalition, have liberated more than 4.4 million Iraqis and reclaimed over 47,769 square kilometers, approximately 95 percent of land once held by ISIS. Much work remains to consolidate gains as operations continue to destroy ISIS’ remaining capabilities, task force officials said.
Just remembering how many American lives have been lost under Obama and Hillary ‘s presidency and Money Schemes….
God Bless President Trump ………..
No wonder these terrorists kept coming back to fight they were hid out in the Mosques all over these areas. Obama told the military they were to leave the Mosques alone which provided perfect cover for the terrorists, as soon as the bombing was over out they came. This is why this couldn’t be carried out while Obama was in office he was basically protecting the bad guys. This proves he is a Muslim lover or belongs to the ideology he was as much a enemy to the US as Hamas an the Muslim Brotherhood. I remember at least two years ago that Obama ordered that most of the US officers in the field get fired or given a pink slip while they were on duty, I couldn’t believe that when I heard it. This is why President Trump has put so many military brass in his administration he knew what he had to do to get rid of the terrorists and its working.