(VOVworld) – On Thursday, Iraqi security forces liberated some areas and villages occupied by the Islamic State in the central and northern region of Iraq.

Iraq's counter-terrorism forces were deployed in Fallujah city on June 23 (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

In Anbar province, security forces, together with paramilitary units, known as Hashd Shaabi, took control of al-Hessi and Albu Eifan, near Fallujah, some 50 kilometers west of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. The conflicts killed at least 17 militants and destroyed 3 IS vehicles.

In another development, coalition airstrikes targeted IS convoys in al-Jeraishi, North of Anbar province’s capital of Ramadi, killing 13 gunmen and destroying at least 4 vehicles. Earlier, hundreds of IS gunmen were also killed as their convoys were destroyed by a number of airstrikes while they were escaping from Falluja.

Meanwhile, Assabah, a Moroccan Daily Newspaper, quoted British intelligence sources, saying Libya is not now IS’s number 1 target, but they are aiming at Western Africa through Algeria. The newspaper said the IS will deploy forces in the Sahel area and other parts of North Morocco as these areas can facilitate IS attacks on European countries. IS has also taken advantage of the Southern area for goods and drug trafficking.