Hundreds of students have started school again this week in the newly liberated city of Anah in westernmost Anbar province, officials told Diyaruna.

Around 2,500 primary, middle and high school students have resumed their education on Sunday (October 22nd) one month after Iraqi forces ousted the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) from the city, said local council head Abdul Karim al-Ani.

The resumption of classes is a clear indication that Anah is now enjoying stability, he said.

"Immediately after the liberation battle ended, we initiated efforts to rebuild our city," he said, adding that the education sector was at the top of their priorities.

"We have reopened three schools and provided all educational needs to the enrolled students, including books and stationery," al-Ani said.

Security forces are working to provide protection for the schools, he noted.

Drinking water, electricity and communications services also have resumed, he said, and the health sector is "gradually recovering".

"Aid and relief materials are being provided to the population by international aid organisations," he added.

Enhanced security

Two-thirds of Anah's 32,000 residents had left the city before the start of the liberation battles, al-Ani said, expressing his hope that they will soon return to their homes after clearing their security background.

Those residents who have not left have undergone a security check to make sure there are no terrorists hiding among them, he said.

Anah is currently enjoying stability and security, he said, "as Iraqi forces from the 7th and 8th divisions and the Jazeera Operations Command are maintaining full control over all neighbourhoods in the city".

The troops deployed in Anah "are sufficient to maintain security and protect the city from terrorist attacks", he said.