Iraqi armed forces say they have entered the center of a strategically important western Islamic State-held town of Hit.

The town sits along an IS supply route that links territory controlled by the extremist group in Iraq and Syria. The operation to retake the small Euphrates river town was stalled by politics, heavy IS resistance, and tens of thousands of trapped civilians. Iraqi troops first entered the town on Monday under the cover of heavy airstrikes, reaching the center on Wednesday.

Since the operation was re-launched last week, the US-led coalition launched more than 18 airstrikes on the town. Officials in the Iraqi military and the US-led coalition believe that by clearing the town, they are able to build on recent territorial gains in the vast province.