TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraqi officials said Saturday that the security forces foiled an attack by Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorists on the city of Ramadi, capital of the western province of Anbar.

The thwarted attack led to 11 arrests and comes after a string of diversionary attacks by the terrorists since the start two weeks ago of a massive offensive against Daesh bastion Mosul.

Iraqi forces "arrested 11 ISIS members who were planning to attack the city" from the suburb of Al-Tash, on the southern edge of Ramadi, said Captain Ahmed al-Dulaimi of the Anbar police.

Iraqi forces retook Ramadi from the Takfiri group early this year. Mine clearing and reconstruction efforts are under way.

Anbar provincial council member Raja al-Issawi said that the 11, arrested Friday, had confessed to planning an attack on the city.

The loss of Mosul could spell the end of Daesh’s days as a land-holding force in Iraq.

The Iraqi army launched the offensive on October 17 aimed at wresting Mosul from the hands of Daesh.

By Tasnim News Agency