Baghdad declares victory in three Anbar areas

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Baghdad operations command has announced victory in at least three areas in Anbar province that were recaptured from Islamic State fighters by the Iraqi joint forces. 

“Forces belonging to Baghdad have been able to retake Janabin, Albu Suda, and Albu Jenfer, north of Garma town. These areas were previously under the control of Islamic State gunmen,” said Saad Maan, Baghdad operations spokesman, in a statement released Friday.

Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces fighting with reinforcements east of the city of Ramadi have cleared Sajariyah town and Sufiya district, the Interior Ministry announced on Thursday.

The week's battles are in preparation for the liberation of Sunni-majority Fallujah, 69 km west of Baghdad, which has been under ISIS control since last summer. The city has been besieged by the Iraqi Army and has been continuously bombed to weaken the extremists.

Hundreds of civilians have reportedly been killed during the ISIS occupation of the city.