Iraqi forces free Hawjah area from IS

Iraqi security forces have fully liberated Hawijah area from Islamic State, IS terrorists in west of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah, Commander of Hawijah Operations, said in a statement yesterday that the Iraqi Army, Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), federal police, interior ministry's commandos, known as Rapid Response, and the paramilitary brigades of Hashd Shaabi, ended their tasks



in the liberation of Hawijah area from the extremist IS militants.

According to military officials, the battles in Hawijah were part of an offensive that began on September 29 when the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the launch of the second phase of offensive to dislodge IS militants from their stronghold in the city and surrounding areas.