BAGHDAD (Dispatches) – Iraqi fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units have managed to retake eight villages west of Mosul as they are engaged in joint military operations with army troops to drive Daesh terrorists out of their last urban stronghold in the Arab country.
Army First Lieutenant Samir Dawood said that the pro-government forces, commonly known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha’abi, had wrested complete control over the villages of al-Wahbi, Arfie, Arfie Awwal and Amlihat.
Dawood added that Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters had also recaptured the road linking the nearby al-Adnaniyah district and the mainly Shia-populated town of al-Ba'aj.
Later in the day, the media bureau of Hashd al-Sha’abi forces announced in a statement that the volunteer and pro-government fighters had liberated the villages of Kojou and Tel Ghazi north of Ba'aj from the grip of Daesh extremists.
Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters also retook the villages of Northern and Southern Biski north of Ba'aj.
Iraqi army soldiers and volunteer fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units have made sweeping gains against the Takfiri elements since launching the Mosul operation on October 17, 2016.