ISIS defense line collapses in Hawija as Iraqi Forces liberate more villages

A high-ranking commander of the Iraqi pro-government Popular Mobilization Units says the defense lines of ISIS militants have collapsed in the Northern town of Hawija as army troops and their allied forces have advanced dozens of kilometers, seizing nearly three dozen villages from the terrorists.

Jabbar al-Mamouri said that ISIL militants can no longer put up stiff resistance in the face of advancing Iraqi soldiers an Popular Mobilization Forces, also knowns as Hashd al-Sha’abi, as the terror group’s snipers stationed on rooftops and at vital intersections in the heart of Hawija, located 45 kilometers West of Kirkuk, have fled to save their lives, Al Sumeriya reported.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of Iraq’s Badr Organization Hadi al-Ameri said Iraqi army forces and Hashd al-Sha’abi have retaken nearly 100 villages and hamlets ever since the operation to liberate Hawija was launched late last month.

Ameri, in a press release issued on Tuesday, announced that al-Rashad area and Heynas air base have been completely purged of ISIL militants.

The commander of the Hawija liberation operation, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah, also said members of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), army units and Hashd al-Sha’abi brigades have freed 35 villages during the second part of the second phase of Hawija liberation operation.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on September 29 announced the start of the second phase of an offensive to liberate Hawija from the grip of ISIL militants.

“We announce the start of the second phase of the liberation of Hawija and all the surrounding areas to the west of Kirkuk, and as promised the sons of our country are continuing to liberate every inch of the land of Iraq and crush the gangs of the ISIL terrorist group,” said Abadi in a statement.

The first phase of the operation to liberate Hawija was launched on September 21.

Source: Farsnews