Iraq Forces Launch Operation To Cut Mosul Off From Syria

BAGHDAD, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Oct, 2016 ) - Iraqi paramilitaries launched an operation Saturday to retake the town of Tal Afar from the Islamic State group and cut militants supply lines from Mosul to Syria, a spokesman said.

Forces from the Hashed al-Shaabi, a paramilitary umbrella organisation dominated by Shiite militias, have largely been on the sidelines since the operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group was launched last week.

"The operation aims to cut supplies between Mosul and Raqa and tighten the siege of (IS) in Mosul and liberate Tal Afar," Hashed spokesman Ahmed al-Assadi told AFP, referring to IS's main strongholds in Iraq and Syria.

Assadi said the operation aimed to retake the towns of Hatra and Tal Abta as well as Tal Afar, Assadi said. The operation could bring the fighting perilously close to the ancient city of Hatra, located northeast of the town of the same name, a UNESCO world heritage site that has already been vandalised by IS.

The involvement of Shiite militias in the Mosul operation has been a source of contention, although some of the Hashed's top commanders insist they do not plan to enter the largely Sunni city.