By Ali Shikho

BAGHDAD 

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has announced the full liberation of al-Khalidiya Island in western Iraq from the Daesh terrorist group.

In a televised statement late Saturday, al-Abadi said Iraqi troops had killed large numbers of Daesh militants in the island.

“We congratulate the Iraqi people on the victories that have been made, thanks to the efforts of our heroes,” al-Abadi said.

Backed by U.S.-led airstrikes, Iraqi forces have been battling Daesh militants in an attempt to retake territory captured by the terrorist group in northern and western Iraq in 2014.

Iraqi forces are currently planning to launch an offensive to recapture Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, from Daesh, which overran the city two years ago.

On Thursday, Iraqi forces, backed by U.S.-led airstrikes, captured Qayyara, strategic important area near Mosul.