BAGHDAD — Iraqi forces said they thwarted a third attempt by the Daesh (so-called IS) militants to break through their defensive lines east of the city of Ramadi overnight on Thursday. Police and pro-government Sunni fighters exchanged mortar and sniper fire with the insurgents across the new frontline in Husaiba Al-Sharqiya, about halfway between Ramadi and a base where a counter-offensive to retake the city is being prepared. Ramadi fell to the militants on Sunday in the most significant setback for Iraqi security forces in nearly a year, calling into question the US-led strategy to “degrade and destroy” the militant group. The militants are now seeking to consolidate their gains in the surrounding province of Anbar by pushing east toward the Habbaniya base where Iraqi security forces and Shiite paramilitaries are massing. “Daesh is desperately trying to breach our defenses but this is impossible now,” Police major Khalid Al-Fahdawi said. “We have absorbed the shock and more reinforcements have reached the frontline. They tried overnight to breach our defenses but they failed. Army helicopters were waiting for them.” — Reuters
