Paramilitary troops launch offensive to liberate villages northwest of Hatra
Pro-Iraqi government paramilitary forces, al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units)
Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Pro-Iraqi government troops of al-Hashd al-Shaabi have liberated the village of Im Shurak, northwest of Hatra region, within the military operation launched on Sunday to free villages still held by Islamic State.
“The forces liberated Im Shurak village and combed it in search for explosives,” the media service said in statements. “Military operation was launched from al-Hajaf village in three directions to secure the defenses of the troops in the northwest of Hatra.”
Moreover, the troops destroyed two booby-trapped vehicles of IS. “Militants on board one of them were killed, in addition to a suicide bomber who was driving a booby-trapped car before reaching to his target.”
“Another booby-trapped vehicle that was trying to target the troops on the boundaries of Im al-Shatan village, was also destroyed,” it added.
The operation, according to the statements, “are supplementary to operations launched last week.”
“The troops resume its advance to achieve its targets of the day,” the media service added.
On Tuesday, the paramilitary troops announced launching an offensive to liberate Hatra to cut off the IS routes between Hawija, Mosul and eastern Syria.
Iraqi commanders previously claimed the recapture of 70 percent of the western region, saying IS was only controlling less than seven percent of Iraqi territory.