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Iraqi forces retake western town of al-Baghdadi

In this Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 file photo, Iraqi army soldiers deploy in front of a court run by the Islamic State group after a military operation to regain control of the town of Sadiyah in Diyala province, 95 kilometers north of Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo/File

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military says Iraqi forces have retaken the town of al-Baghdadi from Islamic State fighters after months of battles.

The military task force coordinating Operation Inherent Resolve, the campaign against Islamic State militants, says Iraqi and tribal fighters cleared the town in Anbar province and have retaken the police station and three key Euphrates River bridges.

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Between Feb. 26 and March 6, the U.S.-led coalition launched airstrikes on 26 locations to help Iraqi forces move against the militants. Coalition forces also provided intelligence and surveillance to the Iraqis. The bridges had been held by the Islamic State group since September.

Last month, the Army general commanding the war effort in Iraq and Syria told reporters he was confident the Iraqi operation, dubbed “Lion’s Revenge,” would succeed.

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