Iraqi forces push Islamic State from western town of Hit - state TV

Iraq's counter-terrorism forces vehicles gather in the town of Hit in Anbar province, April 7, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's counter-terrorism forces backed by U.S.-led coalition air strikes reached the centre of the western town of Hit, dislodging Islamic State militants and evacuating thousands of civilians, state television said on Friday.

A local commander said the pro-government forces had routed the militants from their stronghold in Hit, which had a pre-war population of nearly 100,000, but fighting was still going on.