Iraqi Forces Retake Area near Syrian Border from IS

W460

Iraqi forces retook an area near the Syrian border from the Islamic State group on Sunday as part of operations to expel the jihadists from strongholds in the country's north.

The Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) forces announced the "total liberation" of al-Baaj district "with support from the air force".

"The Iraqi flag has been hoisted above its buildings," said a statement from the Hashed, an umbrella organization for pro-government paramilitaries that is dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias.

The Hashed on May 12 launched an operation to retake the Qayrawan and al-Baaj areas west of Mosul, the country's second city that is the target of a massive anti-IS operation.

The forces on May 23 announced they had retaken Qayrawan.

Both areas are in Nineveh, the province of which Mosul is the capital, and lie between territory under IS control in Iraq and Syria.

The jihadists took over large swathes of territory of Iraq and Syria in 2014, but have since faced offensives on several fronts in both countries.

Iraqi forces backed by the U.S.-led coalition have since October been battling to oust IS from Mosul.

They are advancing on the last areas of the city still held by IS, but the presence of large numbers of civilians is slowing their progress.

Comments 6
Thumb galaxy 04 June 2017, 13:15

They sure look like Iraqi forces;)

Thumb Mystic 04 June 2017, 14:22

They are the only Iraqi forces that matters, because their hatred for Salafism is the key for victory.

Even your heroes in Da3ish fears these people, because they will not show mercy like the American backed forces.

Thumb Mystic 04 June 2017, 21:03

America does nothing against Salafis, you can't be friends with Saudi Arabia and an enemy of ISIS.

Because ISIS and Saudi Arabia is one and the same.
Same idealogy, same wahabism.

Thumb liberty 05 June 2017, 05:14

yeah listen to the devil worshiper. Just ask yourself where you and your shia militias in Iraq would have been had it not been for USA arms, troops on the ground and air support.

Thumb liberty 05 June 2017, 05:07

The iraqi army is nothing more than a collection of shia terrorists and criminals armed and supported by the USA.

Thumb justin 05 June 2017, 09:40

العبادي ينتقد توغل "الحشد" بسوريا: دستورنا لا يسمح بذلك
http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/iraq/2017/06/05/العبادي-ينتقد-توغل-الحشد-بسوريا-دستورنا-لا-يسمح-بذلك.html