Final Countdown: Iraqi Army Advances on Daesh's Last Strongholds

The Iraqi military is poised and ready to deal a final blow to Daesh terrorists in the country.

The Iraqi army has announced the beginning of a major offensive against Daesh (ISIS) in Iraq's Anbar province, where the terrorist group retains control of some areas, according to Iran's Press TV news agency.

The Iraqi forces are already advancing on the towns of Rawa and Qa'im on the Euphrates River near Syria's border, in what is touted as a final operation against Daesh in the country.

The offensive was preceded by Iraqi air force planes dropping leaflets on the towns, in which the country's military said in particular that "your security forces are now coming to liberate you."

Press TV described Rawa and Qa'im as Daesh's last safe havens in Iraq.

Last month, Saad Hadithi, spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi, said that that the Iraqi army had regained control over 90 percent of the land that had been occupied by Daesh and that "the final victory is at hand."

Iraq: Army Forces Prepare for Final Anti-Daesh Offensive Near Syria Border
25/10/2017https://t.co/0RjHxsCgoX#yemenweek #Iraq #ISIL #Daesh pic.twitter.com/TPRuwD7due

— YemenWeek (@yemenweekcom) 25 октября 2017 г.

Abadi, meanwhile, pledged earlier in October that the government forces will totally destroy Daesh in Iraq before the end of this year.

Iraqi rapid response members fire a missile against DAESH militants during a battle with the militants in Mosul, Iraq, March 11, 2017.

© REUTERS / Thaier Al-Sudani

In 2014, Daesh seized large territories in northern and western parts of Iraq, which provoked a new wave of violence and instability in the country.

Since then, the Iraqi army has managed to recapture most of that territory, including the country's second largest city of Mosul, which was liberated on July 9, 2017.