More than 100 IS militants killed in 38 airstrikes by army in Hawija

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) More than 100 Islamic State militants were killed in airstrikes that targeted the group’s haven in southwest of Kirkuk on the second day of phase 2 of operations launched there, commander announced.

“Iraqi army jets carried out 38 airstrikes leaving 121 militants killed, vehicles and two tunnels destroyed in Hawija,” Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah, commander of Hawija Operations, said.

Moreover, Yarallah said Federal Police, the Rapid Response forces as well as al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) managed to liberate 26 villages in Hawija.

On Friday, Lt. Gen. Shaker Jawdat, chief of Federal Police, said troops regained control on 70 square kilometers in west of Hawija, liberated 23 villages and regions and killed 144 militants. Another 96 militants were killed in airstrikes in Hawija, Yarallah said.

Early on Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and the Joint Operations Command announced beginning of the second phase of Hawija offensive.

According to Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell, 557 IS militants were killed, while more than 100 villages and regions were liberated during the first phase, which launched earlier this month and was concluded on Sunday.

Hawija and other neighboring regions, west of Kirkuk, have been held by IS since mid-2014, when the group emerged to proclaim an Islamic “caliphate” in Iraq and Syria.