Army soldiers wounded in bomb blasts in western Anbar

A military source, who preferred anonymity, declared that on Friday bombs planned by IS, remnants of the battles against Islamic State, exploded injuring several soldiers in al-Rayhana, East of Annah town. The source did not provide details about the number of the wounded, who were taken to hospital for treatment. Iraqi Security troops still continue to liberate the regions in Western Anbar from the landmines planted during the war against the militant group. Iraqi army announced the total liberation of the”town of Annah and neighboring Rayhana area in September. Troops also recaptured Akashat region, between Rutba town, on borders with Jordan, and Qaim, on borders with Syria. Late October, Operations were launched to recapture Qaim and Rawa towns, which have been held by the extremist group since 2014. On Friday” Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi proclaimed the liberation of Qaim in record time while operations in Rawa are expected to be launched soon. Since the proclamation of the “Islamic Caliphate” in 2014 violence in the country has increased considerably. During October one-hundred and fourteen Iraqi civilians were killed, while 244 others were wounded as result of terrorism, violence and armed conflicts according to a monthly release by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).