Iraqi paramilitaries retake 17 villages east of IS last Nineveh stronghold
A member of Iraqi forces walks as they advance their positions on the frontline at the Old City in West Mosul, Iraq June 27, 2017. REUTERS/Erik De Castro
Tal Afar (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi pro-government paramilitary forces recaptured more ground around Islamic State’s last stronghold in Nineveh province, a military officer was quoted saying Thursday.
Popular Mobilization Forces carried out a military operation east of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, said Cap. Jabbar Hassan from the Iraqi army in statements to Anadolu Agency. The offensives came as part of reinforcements in preparation to invade the town, he explained.
The PMF finished an operation to clear the road linking the regions of Adaya, west of Mosul, and ain al-Jahsh, southeast of Tal Afar, Hassan added. Forces took control of 17 villages and roads interconnecting them, he revealed.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said last month that military plans were ready to invade Tal Afar, Islamic State’s last haven in Nineveh, with the participation of mobilization forces. Abadi declared earlier this month that the city of Mosul, IS’s largest stronghold in Iraq, had been recaptured from the militant group.
Late June, PMFs said they took control over the borderline with Syria, and announced earlier this year that Tal Afar was completely isolated from IS’s havens in Syria.