Iraqi Volunteer Forces Free Airbase, More Villages West of Mosul

Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces retook a key military airbase, West of Mosul, according to Sami al-Massoudi, a leader with the troops.
The volunteer forces, localy known as Hashd al-Shaabi said in statements, the “the 13th and 14th brigades liberated Sahl Sinjar Airbase, a strategic airport in south of Qairawan”, Iraqi News reported.

Troops also liberated al-Amdina village, in the south, in addition to Karka village, the troops media service said.

“200 families from Mesei’da village, in the vicinity of Sahl Sinjar Airbase, were evacuated far from the battlefields.” the service added.

Earlier on Thursday, the troop freed six villages in north and south of Qairawan, in the West of Mosul.

In statements, the media service announced liberating Ain Fathi village, North of Qairawan.

“The 10th brigade seized a booby-trapped vehicle and explosives inside al-Hassan mosque in Ain Fathi village,” the service said. Ten ISIL militants were killed while combing the village.

The forces freed Ain Ghazal village, in the North, after cutting off the road linking between the freed Tal Banat village and Qairawan, in addition to liberating Akhmeisa village, according to statements.

Adheila village, in the South, has been liberated, the troops media service said adding “Iraqi flag was raised there.”

The 13th and 14th brigades freed Khams Telool and Khalaf al-Deirs village, in the South, according to the statements. “The troops inflicted huge losses in personnel and weapons on ISIL militants.”

Many villages in Qairawan region, a main ISIL bastion which links between Tal Afar town and the Syrian borders, have been freed since an the troops launched an offensive on Friday to free the region.

The Eastern side of Mosul was recaptured in January following three months of battles. Another offensive was launched in February to recapture the Western flank of the city.

Iraqi commanders predict recapturing the remaining parts of the city this month.

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