U.S. installs new military base near Iraqi-Syrian borders: Official
Anbar (IraqiNews.com) The Syrian Democratic Forces have revealed a new military base being built by U.S. troops on Iraqi-Syrian borders, west of Anbar.
In remarks to the Russian Sputnik agency, Khalil Serfan, from SDF, said “a new U.S. base is being built near Qaim town on the borders between Iraq and Syria.”
The U.S., according to Serfan, “established the base in such strategically-important region on the borders as it’s trying to establish its military presence there, this the Iraqi troops dispatched more forces to enhance the protection at the borders.”
The base, according to Serfan, was used by the U.S.-backed SDF in operations that were carried out last month in east of Syria.
In August, the U.S.-led coalition said U.S. forces will remain in Iraq, so long as there is a need for that, which is contrary to the U.S. promises to withdraw from Iraq after Islamic State was defeated.
Security expert Safaa al-Aasam had been quoted saying that Washington is working on increasing the total number of U.S. bases in Iraq reaching up to 12 bases over the coming period of time.
An official security source qas quoted by BasNews website in July as saying that U.S. is planning to inaugurate its third base in western Anbar, near the borders with Syria, to join its already operating bases, Ain al-Assad and Habbaniya.
Three Islamic State members killed in security operation, west of Anbar
Anbar (IraqiNews.com) Three Islamic State members were killed, while a secret tunnel was destroyed, west of Anbar near borders with Syria, a security source from the province said on Sunday.
Speaking to BasNews, the source said “information from the intelligence department enabled security troops to carry out a military operation that targeted a rest house of Islamic State in Qaim town, west of Anbar on the borders with Syria, leaving three militants killed and a secret tunnel, they use, destroyed.”
Troops, according to the source, who preferred anonymity, “carried out the operation in search for hideouts and tunnels used by the militants as shelter.”
The source also highlighted necessity of deploying more military troops to eradicate the infiltration of militants.
Islamic State members released, smuggled for bribes in Anbar: Source
Anbar (IraqiNews.com) A senior source from Anbar provincial council has revealed about release of Islamic State members and smuggling them into Turkey in return for brbes.
Speaking to Almaalomah website, the source said “Anbar provinces which include hundreds of detainees of Islamic State saw legal violations through releasing some prominent figures in return for money reaching up to US$35,000.”
The released militants, according to the source, “travel to Turkey, which has many prominent Islamic State leaders who fled to there, after arrest warrants were issued against them.”