Iraqi security forces backed by allied Shiite Popular Mobilization forces and Sunni tribal fighters prepare to attack ISIS positions at Khalidiya Island in Anbar province, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016.

Iraq Army’s Seventh Band, with the backing of tribesmen, have liberated two villages in Hit island in the western province of Anbar on Sunday from ISIS, a local media reported.

Al-Mahboubiya and Al-Safakiya villages located in the island on the Euphrates river were recaptured from ISIS and Iraqi flags were raised in the liberated areas.

Maj. Gen Qassim al-Mohamadi, Head of Operation to Liberate Hit Island, said on Sunday that the “operation to liberate [Safakiya] village began after getting rid of 37 explosive devices and 23 jugs containing C-4 material.”

Composition C-4 is a common variety of the plastic explosive

Meanwhile, a source told the local Al-Sumaria News that ISIS militants fled Mahboubiya after they incurred financial and human losses.

The operation to liberate the island, which had fallen under ISIS control since mid-2014, started three weeks ago.

The operation was launched as an offensive to retake Iraq’s second largest city – Mosul – looms.

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