(From AFP)
The Islamic State group on Sunday pulled its fighters out of Rutba, a desert town in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, an army general and the mayor said.
The pullout, if confirmed, would be a rare case of the jihadists abandoning a position under no massive miliary pressure and suggests a manpower crisis in the organisation.
“Daesh (IS) has completely pulled out of Rutba and gone towards Al-Qaim,” a major general said, referring to a jihadist bastion on the border with Syria, further north in Anbar.
“Daesh’s armed men started pulling out last night and completed their withdrawal this morning,” the senior officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Rutba is now free of Daesh.” Read More