The Iraqi Army has captured Iraq’s largest oil refinery in the city of Baiji after weeks of violent firefights in the vicinity of the premises. The Baiji Oil Refinery was under Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) control for over 6 months, leaving the Iraqi economy without its biggest oil refinery pumping gallons of the nation’s top commodity. The operation to capture the Baiji Oil Refinery resulted in ISIS militants retreating northeast from the city.
Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) continued their siege north of the captured city of Baiji, pushing their way into the strategic 600 Area, while killing scores of ISIS militants in the process. Upon entrance into the 600 Area, the ISIS militants were overrun by the ISF and local militia fighters infiltrating from the northwestern part of Baiji. The ISF’s infiltration resulted in large wave of ISIS fighters retreating north of the 600 Area towards the village of Siniyyah.
Continuing their counter-offensive in the Al-Anbar Governorate, the Iraqi Army’s 11th Division captured 3 villages and killed dozens of ISIS militants this week. The 11th Division captured the villages of Al-Karbouliyyeh, Al-Nahalat, and Albu Assaf; meanwhile, the Iraqi Army’s 8th Division carried out a large assault on ISIS fighters at Al-Majar. The offensive in Al-Anbar is geared to disrupt ISIS’ main supply route to their fighters around the country.
Earlier today, a car bomb was detonated in the Erbil Governorate, creating a large explosion that rocked the province. 4 civilians were reportedly killed during the explosion and another 20 are in serious condition. No group has accepted responsibility for this terrorist attack.
