Iraqi Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters take back 7 villages west of Mosul

Iraqi fighters from Popular Mobilization Units have liberated seven villages on the western outskirts of Mosul as pro-government forces and army soldiers cooperate to expel Takfiri Daesh terrorists out of their last urban stronghold in the country.

The media bureau of the volunteer forces, commonly known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha’abi, announced in a statement on Sunday that the fighters had established full control over al-Mesabas, al-Niliya, Sadet Zawbaa and Thara al-Owaiset villages south of Qairawan region, Arabic-language Shafaaq news agency reported.

Hashd al-Sha’abi forces later won back the village of Northern Ayn Fathi west of Mosul following bitter clashes with Daesh militants. The fighters also shot down a Daesh drone as it was flying over the village of Hatamiya north of Qairawan.

The Popular Mobilization Units also managed to liberate Tal Qasab village north of Qairawan, killing 10 Daesh members and destroying two vehicles rigged with explosives.

Additionally, Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters reclaimed control over Ayn Ghazal village north of Qairawan, and began an operation to clear the area of hidden bombs.

Director of Daesh administrative affairs killed in airstrike

Meanwhile, Director of Daesh Administrative Affairs for Iraq’s Nineveh and northern Syrian Raqqah provinces has been killed in an airstrike carried out by Iraqi fighter jets in the western part of Mosul.

The Directorate of General Military Intelligence said in a statement on Sunday that Muhammed Mujbil al-Jawari died in an aerial assault against al-Zanjili neighborhood last night.

Brigadier General Mohamed al-Jubouri from the Interior Ministry's elite rapid response forces also said the troops had killed 20 Daesh Takfiris, including senior militant commanders, as they repelled a terrorist attack against Mosul’s Old Bridge.

Iraqi army soldiers and volunteer fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units have made sweeping gains against the Takfiri elements since launching the Mosul operation.

The Iraqi forces took control of eastern Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting, and launched the battle in the west on February 19.

The Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displacement says over 526,000 people have been displaced amid an operation by Iraq's military and volunteer fighters to drive Daesh  terrorists out of western Mosul.

The ministry said in a statement on Friday that 526,233 civilians had experienced forced displacement in the face of the offensive, noting that the refugees had been accommodated in camps set up in the southern, eastern and liberated western parts of Mosul.

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