Dozens of "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) gunmen were killed in a military operation in northern Ramadi Thursday (June 16th), the Iraqi police in Anbar province said.
"Joint Iraqi forces on Thursday launched a large-scale ground operation supported by the international coalition in Albu Risha, Zangoura and Tawi areas to clear them of the terrorist pockets that have recently appeared there," Anbar police chief Maj. Gen. Hadi Kassar Erzaij told Al-Shorfa.
Violent battles broke out for several hours after Iraqi security forces and tribesmen reached those areas, he said.
ISIL positions were also hit by international coalition fighter jets, he added.
"More than 40 terrorists were killed and the areas were fully cleared," he said, adding that several members of the security forces were also killed or wounded in the battles.
"The areas are now fully secured," he added.
