Iraqi forces enter al-Qaim, ousting ISIL

ERBİL - Reuters

Iraqi forces have entered al-Qaim, one of the last remaining territories in the country still held by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) militants, the Joint Operations Command said on Nov. 3.

Units from the Iraqi army, Counter-Terrorism Services, Sunni tribal forces and Iranian-backed Popular Mobilisation forces are participating in an offensive to recapture al-Qaim and Rawa, two towns which lie on the border area with Syria.

"ISIL members have to choose between death and surrender," Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a statement announcing the offensive last week. Daesh is another name for ISIL.