Iraqi forces arrest more IS members, make ground gains in Kirkuk purge
Hawija (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi forces on Tuesday advanced further and made more arrests as a recent operation continues to clear areas in Kirkuk province from remnant Islamic State militants.
The Popular Mobilization Forces said through their media that troops, backed by Iraqi army divisions completed the clearing of five villages northeast of the town of Hawija, Islamic State’s former stronghold in Kirkuk.
It said it seized munitions belonging to the group, and continue to chase fleeing militants at areas surrounding Hawija.
Hussein Ali Najm, commander of the PMF’s 56th birgade, said in a statement that troops had managed to arrest a large number of IS members at the eastern Hawija regions.
Paramilitary troops kill so-called Islamic State mufti, three companions in Kirkuk
Kirkuk (Iraqinews.com) – Paramilitary troops killed on Tuesday a senior religious leader in Islamic State group near a Kirkuk village, the troops’ spokesman was quoted as saying.
Speaking to Alsumaria News, spokesman for the Popular Mobilization Forces’ northern axis Ali al-Hussieni said, “The PMF’s 16th brigade killed the so-called Islamic State mufti of Kirkuk and three of his companions during a military operation near a village at Daquq district in southern Kirkuk.”
The slain IS leader was identified as Abdul Qader al-Azzi.