Daesh releases 3 civilian hostages in western Iraq

By Sulaiman al-Qubaisi

ANBAR, Iraq (AA) - Three civilian hostages have been released by the Daesh terrorist group in western Iraq, according to an Iraqi police officer.

The three had been abducted last week by Daesh militants in Rutba city west of Ramadi, regional capital of Anbar province.

“They were found in a desert area west of Rutba on Monday,” Police Captain Ahmed al-Dulaimi told Anadolu Agency.

Last December, officials in Baghdad declared that Daesh’s military presence had been all but destroyed.

It appears, however, that the notorious terrorist group still maintains an active presence in parts of northern and western Iraq.