THU 28 - 3 - 2024
 
Date: Nov 3, 2016
Source: The Daily Star
Iraqi Shiite forces to cut off west Mosul today: commander
Reuters
BAGHDAD: Shi'ite forces in Iraq aim to cut off the western supply route used by ISIS out of Mosul Thursday, the leader of the largest militia told Iraqi television.

"Today, God willing, is the completion of the first stage of the Hashid (Popular Mobilization) operations - that is cutting the supply route of the enemy between Tal Afar and the Muhalabiya district, reaching to Mosul," Hadi al-Amiri, the leader of the Badr Organisation said.

Badr is the largest militia in the Popular Mobilization umbrella group of Shi'ite forces.

Amiri said the militias also intended ultimately to cut off the main highway between Mosul and Tal Afar, but said that the Muhalabiya route was the priority because it was the one used by the militants since they took over Mosul two years ago.

"This is the area ISIS entered Mosul from," he said. "Severing this road means to completely cut off the enemy's supply lines and surround them."

Tal Afar lies about 55 km (35 miles) west of Mosul, on the way to Islamic State-controlled regions of neighboring Syria. Cutting off the western side of the city will leave ISIS enclosed on four axes.

The army, security forces and Kurdish peshmerga forces have been advancing from the south, east and north of Mosul since launching an offensive to recapture the city on Oct. 17.

They were joined five days ago by the Popular Mobilization forces, which launched their offensive towards Tal Afar on Mosul's western flank.


 
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