Forces in Iraq's Anbar unite for cross-border anti-IS operation
As the second phase of the operation to retake the last major pocket of territory held by the Islamic State across the border continues, local Iraqi forces in the western Anbar city of Qaim are wary but hopeful that some of their disappeared may soon be found.
ERBIL, Iraq — Iraq has launched the second phase of the operation to retake the last major pocket of territory held by the Islamic State (IS) across the border from the western Anbar city of Qaim.
The international anti-IS coalition, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Iraqi forces are all collaborating in the operation.
"Last week, the SDF finished the first phase of Operation Roundup, which culminated in the clearance of Baghuz, the southeastern-most village along the Middle Euphrates River Valley near the Syria-Iraq border," Col. Sean Ryan, US spokesman for the anti-IS coalition, told Al-Monitor on May 30 in an email exchange.
He noted that the "operation has demonstrated effective coordination with the Iraqi Security Forces on the other side of the border."
