Hashd Sha’abi to actively participate in Tal Afar liberation operations

A high-ranking official of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) says the pro-government fighters will participate actively alongside security forces in the operations to liberate the northern city of Tal Afar from Takfiri Daesh terrorists.

“Today we want to speak loud and clear that PMU is actively involved in Tal Afar military operations and will participate in all areas, where operations are taking place,” Ahmed al-Asadi, Spokesman for the volunteer forces, commonly known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha’abi, told reporters during a news conference in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad on Monday.

Asadi also described the participation of Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters in the upcoming battle for Tal Afar, located 63 kilometers west of Mosul, as “essential”, stating, “Our forces will participate actively in the liberation of Tal Afar and from all sides.”

The senior Hashd al-Sha’abi official went on to say that commanders of the pro-government force have already held detailed meetings with their counterparts in the Iraqi army, and exchanged viewpoints concerning the plan for the liberation of Tal Afar.

“We have set an initial date and time for these operations, which will be announced at the zero hour by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi once all involved units are properly prepared,” Asadi pointed out.

The remarks came on the same day that Lieutenant Faraj Hamed of Hashd al-Sha’abi said Abbas Brigade, Ali Akbar Brigade, Badr Organization, Imam Ali Brigade, Imam Hussein Brigade, and Hezbollah Battalions will participate in the fight to dislodge Daesh terrorist group from Tal Afar.

Iraqi forces find Daesh tunnels in northwestern Mosul

Meanwhile, Iraqi army forces have discovered three tunnels used by members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group during a mop-up operation in Mosul.

Lieutenant Colonel Sallam al-Khaffaf told Basnews news agency that government troops found the tunnels in the northern Qairawan district of the city, located some 400 kilometers (250 miles) north of Baghdad, as they were combing the liberated area of hidden ordnance and improvised explosive devices.

Khaffaf added that the tunnels contained communication kits, many cell phones that Daesh militants had confiscated from civilians, lists with names of civilians whom the Takfiris had executed.

SS