erbil iraq iraqi force enter al-qaim one last remain territories country still hold islamic state militants joint operations command say friday units iraqi army counter-terrorism service sunni tribal iranian-backed popular mobilisation force pmf participate offensive recapture al-qaim rawa two towns lie border area syria iraq security force retake border cross syria militants hours enter al-qaim accord joint operations command road run al-qaim iraq albu-kamal syria two towns close opposite side border last important territorial stronghold islamic state welcome offensive u.s.-led international military coalition run air campaign islamic state syria iraq since 2014 say statement approximately 1,500 islamic state fighters estimate remain immediate vicinity al-qaim operations clear militants final strongholds iraq continue despite concurrent military advance kurdish-held territory north iraq central government launch offensive oct. 16 seize dispute territories claim baghdad kurds retaliation referendum kurdish independence hold sept. 25. lightning strike central government force swiftly recapture large areas include oil-rich city kirkuk kurds seize areas islamic state sweep across northern iraq 2014. thursday iraqi force threaten resume military operations kurds accuse delay handover control border take advantage negotiations bolster defenses iraqi force enter al-qaim final offensive islamic state-held territory