{"id":62281,"date":"2019-07-21T17:50:41","date_gmt":"2019-07-21T17:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/07\/21\/iraqi-forces-launch-anti-isis-operation-north-of-baghdad\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T12:59:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:59:16","slug":"iraqi-forces-launch-anti-isis-operation-north-of-baghdad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2019\/07\/21\/iraqi-forces-launch-anti-isis-operation-north-of-baghdad\/","title":{"rendered":"Iraqi forces launch anti-ISIS operation north of Baghdad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BAGHDAD \u2014 Iraq\u2019s military said Saturday its troops in partnership with security agencies and paramilitary forces launched the second phase of an operation aimed at clearing remnants of the Islamic State group from north of Baghdad and surrounding areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the second phase of the operation dubbed \u201cWill to Victory,\u201d which started two weeks earlier and targeted the area along the border with Syria<\/a>. The military said the new target area is north of Baghdad and in the Diyala, Salahuddin and Anbar provinces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Iraq declared victory against ISIS in July 2017<\/a>, the extremists have turned into an insurgency<\/a> and continue to carry out deadly attacks in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Iraqs
Iraqs rapid response forces detain a man as they storm a house in the Tarmiyah district, north of Baghdad, searching for wanted Islamic State group suspects on July 21, 2019. (Ahmad al-Rubaye\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The military said Iraqi troops, Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces, the federal police and others are taking part in the operation supported by the Iraqis and the U.S-led international coalition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, Iraq’s Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi visited the operation room alongside the deputy head of the PMF, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.<\/p>\n\n\n\t