(VOVworld) – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi said on Wednesday that Iraq’s next battle is to free the western province of Anbar from Islamic State. Iraqi forces recently gained victory over the extremist group in the northern city of Tikrit. Abadi made the statement while inspecting preparations in Anbar province for the coming military operation.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi waves to Iraqi army soldiers at a military base in Anbar Province on April 08, 2015. (Photo: Press TV)

On Wednesday, Iraqi security forces, backed by Shiite and Sunni militia and fighters from the US-led coalition, launched an operation in the east of Anbar's provincial capital of Ramadi and retook Sajariyah and Falahat.