Western Anbar offensive (2017)
The Western Anbar offensive was a military operation launched by the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and its allies in the western Anbar Governorate of Iraq in 2017, as part of the larger campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The offensive aimed to liberate the remaining ISIS-held territories in the province, primarily along the Euphrates River valley, including the cities of Rawa and Al-Qaim, the last major urban centers under ISIS control in Iraq.
The offensive was preceded by months of preparation and reconnaissance, with the ISF focusing on cutting off ISIS supply lines and weakening their defenses through airstrikes and artillery bombardments. The operation involved a multi-pronged assault, with different units of the ISF, including the Iraqi Army, the Federal Police, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), advancing on various fronts.
The offensive saw fierce fighting as ISIS militants put up strong resistance, utilizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), suicide bombers, and snipers to slow the ISF advance. Despite the resistance, the ISF, backed by air support from the U.S.-led coalition, gradually pushed ISIS back, liberating numerous villages and towns along the way.
Key milestones of the offensive included the recapture of the Akashat phosphate mine, a strategically important site for ISIS, and the eventual liberation of Rawa and Al-Qaim in November 2017. The recapture of these towns effectively marked the end of ISIS's territorial control in Iraq, although the group continued to operate as an insurgency in the region.
The Western Anbar offensive was considered a significant victory for the Iraqi government and its allies, representing a crucial step in the fight against ISIS. The offensive also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in supporting the ISF and providing air support and training. Post-offensive efforts focused on stabilizing the liberated areas, clearing IEDs, and providing humanitarian aid to displaced civilians.