Six IS militants killed as Shiite paramilitaries repulse attack, west of Mosul
Al-Hashd al-Sha’bi after liberating a village, west of Mosul.
“The 40th brigade repulsed an attack in Baaj, located west of Mosul,” according to a statement by the media service of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces).
“The attack targeted al-Risala and al-Hamdaniya districts in the town,” it added.
PMFs, backed by the army troops and fighter jets, managed to liberate the town, which is close to the Iraqi-Iranian borders, in June.
Previously, the troops took control over the borderline with Syria liberating the remaining villages in the vicinity of Qairawan, a main Islamic State bastion which links between Tal Afar town and the Syrian borders, and Baaj, after the troops announced full liberation of Qairawan.
The group has been actively engaged in the Iraqi government’s war against IS, and has recently claimed full control over Iraq’s borders with Syria, but has been operating only on ground with air support from the Iraqi army warplanes.
PMUs, an alliance of more than 60 mostly Shia militias, are recognized by the government as a national force under the Prime Minister’s command after an edict from Iraq’s top Shia clergy was made in 2014 ordering their formation to counter IS militants.