Iraqi Army News

"Operations to liberate Rawa began at dawn," the Joint Operations Command said in a statement.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi released a statement congratulating the armed forces for "entering into Al-Qaim and liberating" the border crossing.

Up to 78,000 people could be trapped in Islamic State-held Hawija in northern Iraq, the United Nations said on Tuesday, as security forces push to recapture the town.

The Iraqi army and Sunni tribal fighters have dislodged Islamic State from the al-Waleed border crossing into Syria, an Iraqi military statement said on Saturday.

US backed Iraqi army units on Wednesday took control of the last major road out of western Mosul that had been in Islamic State`s hands.

Islamic State group fighters "summarily executed" 13 civilians after villagers rose up against them at the start of the Iraqi army`s offensive to retake Mosul, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.

The Iraqi army was trying on Thursday to reach a town south of Mosul where Islamic State has reportedly executed dozens to deter the population against any attempt to support the U.S.-led offensive on the jihadists` last major city stronghold in Iraq.

The Rutba city is close to a wildlife preserve, which is home to thousands of gazelles, also known as black-tailed gazelles.

That, however, could not save them and the terrorists were arrested by the Iraqi army.

Carter said Iraqi army and counter-terrorism units were beginning to enter the city from multiple sides after months of frustrating delays.