Iraqi security forces on Sunday arrested 17 militant fighters from the ISIS in the vicinity of Ramadi city, capital of Anbar province.
The Iraqi security department in Anbar said in a statement that the militants were arrested after escaping Ramadi city –which was retaken by the government forces last week subsequent to fierce clashes with ISIS.
“The 17 terrorists were captured by our forces near the Ratbah town while trying to escape Anbar province,” it said.
This comes just four days after Iraqi troops arrested a group of ISIS fighters who were trying to flee the city of Ramadi while dressed as women. “The terrorists had shaved their beards and dressed as women in a bid to fool our forces and escape the liberated city of Ramadi. However, they were all arrested before escaping the city,” the Iraqi security command said in a statement.
The Iraqi army announced on Tuesday the “full liberation” of Ramadi city, capital of Anbar province, from ISIS militants.
Dozens of ISIS terrorists are believed to be stranded inside Ramadi after the Iraqi troops imposed their control over the city.
Local media activist Fouad Al-Saddi said that the Iraqi forces raided several neighborhoods across the city looking for ISIS militants.
“The militants who remained in the city are now trying to escape at any cost in order to avoid falling in the hands of the government forces,” Al-Saddi said.
“At least nine ISIS militants were destained on wednesday while trying to flee the security checkpoints of the Iraqi forces in Ramadi suburb. They were all dressed as women,” the source added.
Iraqi army forces have been engaged in fierce battles with ISIS militant fighters in Ramadi and its suburbs over the last few weeks.
The Iraqi army had declared the liberation of Ramadi from ISIS earlier in December.
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