Iraq’s defense minister said that the Iraqi army backed by tribesmen and coalition jets has made gains against the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) in the Anbar province city of Heet.
A series of coalition airstrikes on the city and its perimeter "killed dozens of terrorists and destroyed their missile platforms and military equipment", the ministry said Monday (December 1st).
Anbar army commander Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Mohammedi told, "Iraqi army units from the 7th and 8th brigades, supported by tribesmen and dozens of Heet city residents who had left their homes after ISIL occupied the city, have made significant progress in the operation 'Free Heet', which aims to recapture the city and its suburbs, and expel ISIL."
During the first five days of the operation, the Iraqi forces freed areas such as al-Dulab, al-Tulaihiya, al-Kanshiyah, al-Tahmaniya and the hot springs near Heet, he said.
He further added, "ISIL suffered heavy losses during confrontations with the joint Iraqi forces and tribesmen."
Airstrike coalition
"The international coalition launched more than nine raids on ISIL strongholds in Heet and its surroundings, destroying missile-firing platforms, mid-range artillery and ISIL compounds, as well as silencing sources of fire targeting our ground forces," al-Mohammedi said.
This was "one of the direct reasons behind the achievement of the current progress towards the heart of the city of Heet", he said.
Anbar provincial council chairman Sabah al-Karhout said he believes that the "liberation of Heet has become just a matter of time and Fallujah will be the second destination for our brave forces".
Al-Karhout spoke to successes against ISIL in the area, including the recapture of areas south, east and north of the city, and the killing of ISIL's "Heet wali" Sinan Mitaab, who gave orders to kill Albu Nimr tribesmen last month.
He also mentioned, "Mitaab was killed along with 11 gunmen during a coalition air raid, and 26 of the group's leading elements have been killed since the beginning of operations to free the city, including eight non-Iraqis of Asian, Arab and African nationalities."
Operations in Heet and its suburbs have killed more than 100 ISIL fighters, as well as destroyed some of their key equipment and munitions, such as rockets and cannons, he said. Badiya and Jazeera operations commander Lt. Gen. Kadhem Mohammed, who is in charge of the operation "Free Heet", said a key ISIL figure remains trapped in the city as all roads to him are cut off, including the Euphrates River.
"We hope to drain his strength through air raids and daily interception operations which will draw him to open areas so the army can eliminate him," Mohammed told.
In addition, engineering units from the 7th Brigade have reached the perimeter of the city -- where army units are stationed -- in preparation for the dismantling of mines planted by ISIL on both sides of the main roads that lead to the Heet city centre, he said.
Tribal Support
"Armed tribesmen who are fighting on our side are considered our winning card in this battle," Mohammed said. "They are doing important and great tasks and their sacrifices should be mentioned."
Sheikh Naim al-Kaoud, tribal leader of Albu Nimr and commander of tribal forces in Heet and its suburbs, said dozens of residents who had fled their homes for camps after ISIL attacked the city had returned to fight in the ranks of the tribal forces.
"ISIL killed hundreds of innocents and it is determined to kill others, so we have no choice but to fight, and we would prefer to die fighting than get killed as prisoners, as happened to our brothers," al-Kaoud told.
Tribes now play a supporting role to the army in its fight against ISIL, and contribute to the preparation of plans as they have expertise in the city corridors, exits and entrances, and the surrounding mountainous areas, he said.
"We will stay with the army to fight the ISIL elements until we get into the city and liberate it from their filth," he added. "This is our promise."
Updated 13 Dec 2014 | Soruce: Mawtani | By S.Seal