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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The highway linking Baghdad with Jordanian borders became fully secured from any ISIS threat only 72 hours after Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) retook al-Khalidiya Island, one of the most important and dangerous ISIS strongholds.

The strategic location of the area between Falluja and Ramadi makes it an important link between Baghdad and Jordanian and Syrian borders.

Anbar Provincial Council announced that it will begin restoring and repairing Terbil border crossing which was under ISIS control for a long time.

Head of council Sabah Krhot told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the road from Baghdad to Jordanian borders is now fully secured. He added that authorities should work on reopening Terbil crossing which will enhance the trade between the two countries.

He added that liberating Khalidiya will lead to safe return of displaced civilians to Ramadi and Falluja.

Head of Anbar Military Operations Ismail al-Mahlawi said that the plans include liberation of areas and cities that are still under ISIS control. He added that the forces will begin liberating Hit Island and Ramadi all the way to the four cities on Euphrates River.

Politically, Anbar council voted on re-questioning Governor Sohaib al-Rawi. Council member Khalaf al-Tarmouz said that the council held its usual meeting Monday morning and voted on re-questioning Raqi.

Tarmouz added that Rawi’s investigation will include comprehensive questions that are previously set by the council. They will also question his sick-leave since it turned out he didn’t enter the hospital as he claimed.

It is worth mentioning that at the end of 2013, ISIS took control over most Anbar’s cities which led to the displacement of over one million civilians. Early 2016, security forces liberated Ramadi, Hit, Ratbah, Karma and many other cities to the west of Anbar.

*Asharq Al-awsat