Al-Maliki: Gvt’ Regained Initiative, Striking Back at ’ISIL’ Militants

Local Editor

Iraq's prime minister Nouri al-Maliki confirmed on Wednesday that his government has regained the initiative after the "shock" of the terrorists' attacks against the security forces.

Al-Maliki said in a televised address on Wednesday that the loss of a large swath of territory last week has helped Iraq restore its national unity.

"But we were able to contain the strike and arrest deterioration. ... We have now started our counteroffensive, regaining the initiative and striking back," he assured.

Al-Maliki's upbeat assessment came as news broke of government forces regaining parts of a strategic city near the Syrian border that was captured Monday by militants of the so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" [ISIL].

Maliki further expressed optimism that the "Iraqi people will not be defeated."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team