Iraqi forces overrun Daesh defense line, liberate more villages in Hawijah

Jabbar al-Mamouri told Arabic-language al-Sumaria television network on Tuesday that Daesh militants can no longer put up stiff resistance in the face of advancing Iraqi soldiers and fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, better known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha’abi, as the terror group’s snipers stationed on rooftops and at vital intersections in the heart of Hawijah, located 45 kilometers west of Kirkuk, have fled to save their lives.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of Iraq's Badr Organization Hadi al-Ameri said Iraqi army forces and Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters have retaken nearly 100 villages and hamlets ever since the operation to liberate Hawijah 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 Daesh Takfiris.

The commander of the Hawijah liberation operation, Lieutenant General Abdul AmirYarallah, 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 Hawijah liberation operation.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on September 29 announced the start of the second phase of an offensive to liberate Hawijah from the grip of Daesh Takfiris.

“We announce the start of the second phase of the liberation of Hawijah 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 Daesh terrorist group,” said Abadi in a statement.

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

KD