Iraqi troops register more gains against Daesh in Anbar

By Suleiman al-Qubaisi and Ibrahim Saleh

ANBAR, Iraq (AA) – Iraqi troops have recaptured the Al-Buthiab area in Anbar province’s Ramadi Island region from the Daesh terrorist group, General Ismail al-Mahlawi, head of the army’s Anbar Operations Command, said Thursday.

"Al-Buthiab has been retaken," he said. "Daesh militants fled the area after sustaining heavy material and human losses."

"International coalition aircraft on Wednesday struck Daesh targets in the Ramadi Island area, killing at least four militants," he added.

In recent days, the Iraqi army has also announced the recapture of Anbar’s strategic Al-Dabour and Al-Baghdadi Island regions.

In mid-2014, Daesh captured Mosul -- Iraq’s second largest city -- along with vast swathes of territory in the country’s northern and western regions, including much of Anbar.

In recent weeks and months, the Iraqi army -- backed by a 60-nation coalition led by the U.S. -- has managed to retake much territory.

Nevertheless, Daesh remains in control of several parts of the country, including Mosul.

Iraqi troops and peshmerga fighters have recently captured several areas on the outskirts of Mosul, which Iraqi officials have vowed to recapture by year’s end.