Iraq launches military operation to destroy IS hideouts

The operation is the fifth phase of the anti-IS military operation dubbed 'Will to Victory' that was announced first on July 7. Forces found several underground hideouts in the desert that contained weapons and equipment.

Anbar: Iraqi security forces carried out a military operation on Friday to search for and destroy IS (Islamic State) hideouts in the Anbar desert.

Forces found several underground hideouts in the desert that contained weapons and equipment.

Some of the hideouts were used for storage as well as sleeping shelters by IS members.

The operation is the fifth phase of the anti-IS military operation dubbed 'Will to Victory' that was announced first on July 7.

Since then operations have been carried out in areas including Diala, Baghdad, and Anbar.

Although Iraq declared victory against IS in July 2017, the extremists have turned into an insurgency and continue to carry out deadly attacks in the country.