ISIL makes inroads in Anbar while Iraqi army shells ISIL in Babel

BAGHDAD, Oct 23 (KUNA) -- ISIL forces made some inroads into three towns in the Anbar province in western Iraq as the Iraqi army executed an extensive operation against ISIL in the area of Jarf Al-Sakhr in the province of Babel, a source with the Iraqi army in the Anbar province told KUNA on Thursday.
ISIL forces were also able to take over the village of Albuhadid, west of the city of Fallujah, after what was described as a tactical pull out by the Iraqi army to a nearby military camp, said the source.
An armed tribal unit's pullout from the village of Zoia in the western part of the province of Babel enabled ISIL fighters from moving in and overtaking the village, added the source, who did not mention the extent of casualties in these clashes between the Iraqi army and ISIL.
Meanwhile chairman of the council of the province of Babel Raad Al-Jabouri indicated that a large military operation was launched earlier today aimed at liberating the area of Jarf Al-Sakhr in the northern part of the province from the clutches of ISIL fighters.
Taking part in the operation were units from the Iraqi army with air support and artillery, said Al-Jabouri. Jarf Al-Sakhr is considered one of ISIL's important sanctuaries with supply lines extending to the city of Fallujah in the Anbar province. (end) ahh.ajs