Paramilitary forces kill 2 Islamic State members in western Mosul
Al-Hashd al-Sha’bi during operations in Tal Afar.
Al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) said through its media they killed two Islamic State attackers in western Mosul’s region of Tal Zalat, and destroyed their vehicle.
PMUs, an alliance of Shia militias which won recognition as a national armed force in November, have been actively taking part in operations against Islamic State extremists in western Mosul and other Iraqi provinces. They had made remarkable accomplishments over the past months, retaking Tal Afar airport and most recently taking part in the liberation of Badush region.
Al-Hashd has also claimed to have isolated Tal Afar, an outstanding IS bastion, from both Mosul and the group’s strongholds in Syria.
Iraqi commanders said recently they became in control over 60 percent of western Mosul since operations to recapture that area launched in February. The government said late January its forces fully retook the eastern side of the city. Forces are currently working to expel IS militants from central Mosul.
Military commanders had predicted to retake western Mosul within six months of operations.
Battles in the eastern side of the city have so far displaced more than 100.000 civilians.