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News > World

Iraq Launches Massive Offensive against Islamic State Group

  • Volunteers arrive in trucks to join the Iraqi army.

    Volunteers arrive in trucks to join the Iraqi army. | Photo: Reuters

Published 1 March 2015
Opinion

The offensive seeks to regain control of northern provinces from the terrorist group.

The Iraqi army announced Sunday that it has launched a massive operation aimed at regaining the northern province of Salahuddin, an Islamic State group stronghold.

"The prime minister and armed forces chief (…) announce the start of the security campaign to liberate Salahuddin," a statement issued by Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi's office said.

According to a televised message delivered by Al-Abadi, the Iraqi army will try to regain control over the whole province.

The Iraqi army will be backed by the Kurd Peshmerga forces and the Shiite armed group Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization).

The three forces have been able to hold the advance of the Islamic State group, however, the Iraqi military has failed in other attempts to retake Tikrit, stronghold of the terrorist group inside the Salahuddin province.

As the Iraqi government announced the operation, the U.S. carried out airstrikes near Al-Asad, Al-Qaim, Kirkuk and Mosul, destroying Islamic State group tactical units, boats, a storage facility, buildings and other targets. 

The Salahuddin province borders the Nineveh province, where the terrorist group has made the city of Mosul — Iraq's second largest city — a fortified stronghold.

Iraqi and U.S. officials have been planning a large-scale offensive to re-take Mosul for months, and military sources say the offensive is due for April or May.

Last week, the U.S. military facilitated an accelerated transfer of 10,000 rifles and US$17.9 million in other military supplies for the Iraqi army, as part of the preparations to retake Mosul.

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