Iraqi forces backed by the international coalition began a major operation Wednesday (February 7th) against "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) elements hiding out in a north-eastern desert region, AFP reported.
The army and rapid intervention forces, in co-ordination with Kurdish fighters and with Iraqi and coalition air cover, launched the operation east of Tuz Khurmatu "to chase away ISIS remnants", the Iraqi Ministry of Defence said.
Iraqi forces retook several villages and stormed an ISIS camp, according to the rapid intervention forces.
The operation met no initial resistance, an AFP journalist at the scene said.
