Iraq’s battle against extremists spreads outside of Anbar

Although the Iraqi government launched a military operation in Anbar in December 2013 aimed at eradicating terrorism, it seems the protracted clashes have resulted in terrorist groups expanding their scope to other provinces.
A woman walks past the site of a bomb attack in Balad Ruz, in northeastern Iraq, January 3, 2014. A suicide bomber driving a car packed with explosives killed at least 12 people who had gathered to buy and sell cars in Iraq on Thursday, local officials said. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place near the car markets in the town of Balad Ruz, in northeastern Iraq, injuring another 25 people. REUTERS/Mohammed Adnan (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST) - RTX170P9
A woman walks past the site of a bomb attack in Balad Ruz, in Diyala province, Jan. 3, 2014. - REUTERS/Mohammed Adnan
Omer Iamge BW.jpg
Omar al-Jaffal
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The military operation that was launched by the Iraqi army against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in the western Anbar province in December 2013 is still ongoing, without either side making notable progress. However, ISIS’ scope of operations has widened to include other provinces such as Diyala, Salahuddin and Ninevah. This has forced the army to fight new battles in different areas.

Reports circulated that ISIS fighters have been infiltrating already troubled Sunni areas along with the displaced, which caused the scope of military operations to expand amid fears that the army will not be able to fight on all fronts.

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