Subscribe 

Akkas secure, but dangers remain

Gas field facilities have been ravaged and booby-trapped by IS militants, and tensions are mounting between rival security forces.
Iraqi forces hold a position on Nov. 4, 2017 near the Akkas gas field, after recapturing the border town of Qaim from the Islamic State (IS) group. (AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images)

Iraqi federal forces have secured the Akkas gas field and its surroundings from the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) militant group, but the damage is extensive and the area is likely to remain volatile.

"Everything is booby-trapped, even the workers' accommodations, the road, the entrances," said an officer from the Iraqi Army's 8th Division. He said that over 100 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been defused at Akkas so far.

This content is for registered users. Please login to continue.
If you are not a registered user, you may purchase a subscription.