Iraqi forces launch attack to recapture western Sunni heartland of Anbar

Iraqi government forces have launched an assault to recapture an area north-east of Al-Garma district in the western Sunni heartland of Anbar, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday.

The smoke rising after artillery attack by Iraqi Forces

The smoke rising after artillery attack by Iraqi Forces

Video released by the Ministry of Defense showed Iraqi government forces launching artillery, and smoke rising on the horizon.

The vast desert region of Anbar, where Sunni tribes and American troops drove out al Qaeda in 2006 and 2007, was overcome with militants in 2014.

Now Anbar’s largest air base and surrounding towns are encircled by Islamic State militants.

Sunni tribal fighters fear they are outmanned and say the U.S. military and Iraqi government are not sending enough support

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