The security source in Anbar province, western Iraq, told Reuters that a PMU unit began sweeping the Haditha-Baiji road to remove leftover explosives and terrorist elements abandoned during the period of militant control.

The source said the operation aims to secure the vital route connecting Baiji in Salahuddin province to Anbar's desert regions and protect it from terrorism and remnants from the era of Daesh dominance.

According to the source, PMU forces discovered and destroyed several booby-trapped vehicles left behind from the period when Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) militants controlled large parts of Anbar province.

The source added that Hashd al-Shaabi troops have established a number of fixed and mobile checkpoints to prevent any security breaches.

Meanwhile, the forces are conducting thorough searches of positions and areas in the complex desert terrain considered potential strongholds for remaining terrorist cells.