Iraq army says fully controls Rutba city in W. Iraq

By Ibrahim Salih

BAGHDAD (AA) – The Iraqi army said Tuesday it has fully seized control of the Rutba city in western Iraq from Daesh militants.

On Monday, scores of Daesh militants mounted a daring attack on Rutba, 310 kilometers west of Ramadi.

In a televised statement, the army said the city is now under the full control of Iraqi forces.

The new development comes as the Iraqi army continued a major offensive – which now in the second week -- to recapture the northern city of Mosul from the Daesh group.

The Iraqi prime minister has earlier warned that Daesh may launch attacks on government-ruled areas in response to the Mosul offensive.

The terrorist group captured Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, in mid-2014 before overrunning large swathes of territory in the country’s northern and western regions.

The Iraqi army, backed by local allies on the ground and a U.S.-led air coalition, has since retaken much of the territory. Nevertheless, the terrorist group remains in control of several parts of the country, including Mosul.