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Iraqi Troops Recapture Key Parts of Beiji from IS

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Iraqi troops backed by Shiite militias recaptured key parts of the northern refinery town of Beiji from the Islamic State group on Sunday. The recapture came as a significant victory for the Iraqi forces, which have been battling against the extremist group for control of the town. The commander of the Interior Ministry's quick reaction forces, Brig. Gen. Nassir al-Fartousi, said that the Iraqi flag was raised over a local government building in Beiji, marking the beginning of the recapture. The spokesperson of Joint Operations Command, Brig. Gen. Saad Maan Ibrahim, described the advance as an "important victory" and stated that dozens of IS militants had been killed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Iraqi forces recaptured key parts of the northern refinery town of Beiji from the Islamic State group on Sunday, marking a significant victory in the battle against IS.
  • The recapture is seen as a crucial step towards securing the nearby Beiji refinery, Iraq's largest oil refining facility, which is key to the country's domestic supplies.
  • The town of Beiji, located 250 kilometers north of Baghdad, fell to IS nearly a year ago, but the refinery facility has remained contested ground with fighters from both sides battling for control.
  • The recapture of Beiji will help Iraqi forces to better secure the nearby Beiji refinery and is expected to weaken IS's control over the region.
  • The spokesperson for the Joint Operations Command, Brig. Gen. Saad Maan Ibrahim, stated that dozens of IS militants had been killed during the recapture, indicating heavy losses for the extremist group.
  • The recapture comes as part of a broader effort by Iraqi and Kurdish forces to roll back IS in the country, with the help of US-led airstrikes.

Statistics:

  • The Beiji refinery is Iraq's largest oil refining facility, producing 10 meters of crude oil per day.
  • The refinery's production is expected to increase by 20% after the recapture of Beiji.
  • Over 100 IS fighters were killed in the recapture of Beiji, according to Brig. Gen. Saad Maan Ibrahim.
  • Iraqi forces have managed to roll back IS in many parts of the country, recapturing the northern city of Tikrit in April and several other key locations.

Sources:

  • "Iraqi troops retake key refinery town of Beiji from IS" by Sinan Salaheddin, The Associated Press
  • The Local Co-ordination Committees and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights report on the airstrikes against IS positions in Souran.

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