The Iraqi military and tribal fighters have pushed ISIS militants from the town of Al-Baghdadi, the U.S. military said Friday. The terror group had held three bridges in the town — which is located near a U.S. air base — since September.
Iraqi forces also drove ISIS from seven villages near Al-Baghdadi, located south of Haditha, the U.S.-led Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement. The U.S.-led coalition conducted 26 airstrikes in as part of the effort to retake the region.
ISIS fighters launched a major offensive in Al-Baghdadi on Feb. 12, approaching the town from several directions, but Iraqi forces were able to retain control of most of the city. Al-Baghdadi is just seven miles from Ain Al-Asad Air Base, where U.S. military advisers are located.
The military also said Friday that a new round of airstrikes were launched against ISIS fighters in Syria and Iraq. Four airstrikes hit a crude oil collection point, fighters and fighting positions in Syria, and 12 airstrikes were launched against ISIS forces in Iraq Thursday and Friday local time, the task force said.
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