Iraqi army captures al-Waleed from ISIL
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The Iraqi military on Saturday said US-backed government forces have dislodged ISIL from al-Waleed near the country's border with Syria. 
Al-Waleed is close to Tanf, a strategic Syrian highway border crossing with Iraq, where US forces established a base last year. The capture of al-Waleed effectively removes ISIL fighters from the vicinity of the US base. 
As the offensive to retake Mosul from ISIL enters its ninth month, the militants have been squeezed into an enclave on the western bank of the Tigris river.