The goal behind the military presence in Al-Anbar Governorate is the prevention of there being any security gaps and countering ISIS, military spokesperson for Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades Jaafar al-Husseini said Sunday.

The military force that had entered Al-Anbar was deployed in Al-Karmah, he added, amid information that ISIS was planning on entering the area.

He also accused the United States of facilitating the movement of terrorists on the borders despite Washington's claims that its presence is to fight the terrorist organization.

Concurrently, the Iraqi military media cell issued an explanation about the convoy of military vehicles in Al-Anbar.

"Some social media pages and media outlets circulated news about an armed faction entering Al-Anbar without any military orders," the cell said.

They clarified that the convoy comprised of Popular Mobilization Forces fighters who were on their way to Al-Qaem after a vacation, stressing that the PMF was part of the security and military apparatus and that their presence was official as per military orders.

Iraqi armed forces eliminate ISIS terrorists in Saladin

On February 3, The Iraqi armed forces neutralized seven ISIS terrorists in the northern governorate of Saladin, spokesperson for the Iraqi armed forces Yehia Rasool said Wednesday. 

Rasool said the Air Force command launched a successful strike using thermal imaging cameras, eliminating five terrorists in the Sabiat area.

"After extensive tracking by the Saladin operational command brigade and observation using thermal imaging cameras, the Air Force command launched a successful strike, during which five terrorists were eliminated in the Sabiat area," he said on Twitter.

"After that, ground forces arrived at the scene and killed two terrorists. In total, seven ISIS terrorists were eliminated," Rasool added.