Iraq Daily, Sept 8: After US Airstrikes, Iraqi Forces Clear Islamic State from Area Near Haditha Dam

lATEST: Islamic State Attack Town North of Baghdad, Killing 17 & Wounding 54

Iraqi forces say they have cleared Islamic State fighters from a wide area around the Haditha Dam, following US airstrikes.

“Joint forces backed by air support and tribesmen launched a wide attack to clear the areas surrounding the Haditha district,” military spokesman General Qassem Atta said.

The US expanded its operations into western Iraq early Sunday, hitting four Isis Humvees, four armed vehicles — two of which were carrying anti-aircraft guns — a command post, and an offensive and a defensive position.

Sheikh Ahmed Abu Risha, the leader of a Sunni tribal militia supporting the Government, said the attacks eliminated a jihadist patrol trying to attack the dam: “They were very accurate. There was no collateral damage.”

The ground offensive retook Barwana, south of Haditha. The Governor of Anbar Province, Ahmed al-Dulaimi, was lightly wounded by an explosion shortly afterwards. Iraqi forces and allied tribes also attacked the Islamic State in Khafajiyah, east of Haditha.

Islamic State Attack Town North of Baghdad, Killing 17 & Wounding 54

Islamic State fighters attacked Dhuluiya, about 70 km (45 miles) north of Baghdad, on Monday with gunboats and a car bomb.

A security source said the assault, which started before dawn and last two hours, killed 17 people and wounded 54 before the attackers were repelled. Most of the casualties were caused by the car bomb, which struck a market.