Isis: Iraqi military launches final campaign to clear jihadist militants from desert
Army and Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation Forces removing last remaining Islamic extremists from sands approaching Syrian border in final sweep
![Iraqi forces vehicles after the capture of Rawa, the last remaining Iraqi town under Isis control](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2017/11/23/07/iraq-isis.jpg)
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
Iraqi forces have launched an operation to clear the desert bordering Syria of Isis, a final campaign to rid Iraq of the militant group, the military said in a statement.
Troops from the Iraqi army and Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) were taking part in the campaign against militants hiding in a large strip of border land, Iraqi military officials said.
“The objective behind the operation is to prevent remaining Daesh groups from melting into the desert region and using it as a base for future attacks,” said army colonel Salah Kareem, referring to Isis by an Arabic acronym.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on on Tuesday that Isis had been defeated from a military perspective but he would only declare final victory after militants were routed in the desert.
Iraqi forces on Friday captured the border town of Rawa, the last remaining town under Isis control, signalling the collapse of the group's “caliphate” proclaimed after it overran much of Iraq's north and west in 2014.
Reuters
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments