As Iraqi political and military attention shifts north in the fight against the Islamic State group, the military victories that have put Iraqi forces on Mosul’s doorstep have left behind shattered cities, towns and communities in Iraq’s Sunni heartland. (Khalid Mohammed/Associated Press)AMIRIYAH AL-FALLUJAH, Iraq — As Iraqi political and military attention shifts north in the fight against the Islamic State group, the military victories that have put Iraqi forces on Mosul’s doorstep have left behind shattered cities, towns and communities in Iraq’s Sunni heartland. Anbar has witnessed the most successful military phase of the ground fight against IS to date. But rather than restore government order, services and security, liberation at the hands of Iraqi forces closely backed by the U.S.-led coalition has merely moved many Anbaris from one waiting room into another. His brother was executed by IS fighters just days before the town was retaken by Iraqi forces and his body was dumped in the street.

Source: Washington Post August 13, 2016 09:11 UTC