DAESH MILITANTS DOWNS TWO IRAQI MILITARY WARPLANES IN ANBAR

Anbar, Irak, 17 Jumadil Awwal 1436/8 Maret 2015 (MINA) – Daesh downed two Iraqi warplanes in Anbar province in the past 24 hours, sources said.

“Daesh militants downed an Iraqi forces helicopter Friday evening and another jet Saturday morning in al-Karma area,” an Iraqi army captain who preferred not to divulge his name told The Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The source did not specify the number of crew members on board the planes or their fate.

Al-Karma area is witnessing ongoing clashes between Iraqi security forces, backed by the Hashid al-Shabi Shiite militia, and Daesh.

Daesh (the Arabic acronym for ISIL) has been attempting to seize control of Ramadi, the capital city of Anbar province.

Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces and Shi’ite militia fighters struggled to advance on Saturday into the two towns of al-Alam and al-Dour near Tikrit, their progress slowed by fierce defense from Islamic State militants, Reuters report.

“We are facing a strong resistance from terrorist groups and we are trying to surround Daesh inside al-Alam and al-Dour and cut all supply routes for them,” said al-Alam mayor Laith al-Jubouri, referring to the Islamic State fighters.

Army and militia fighters entered the southern and eastern parts of al-Dour on Friday. Commanders said at the time that the town had been completely recaptured, but officials said only parts of it had been retaken. (T/P001/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)