Iraqi pro-gov’t troops shell Islamic State ‘pivotal’ locations in Syria
Artillery shelling. File photo.
In a press release on Thursday, the media service of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) said “the artillery of the 29th brigade targeted, this evening, pivotal locations of Islamic State members at al-Atshana village in Syria.”
The artillery shelling, according to the troops, “inflicted losses among the enemy.”
Earlier this week, Iraqi warplanes launched a new wave of air raids against outposts of the Islamic State group in Syria.
In April, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi denied intentions to intervene within Syrian affairs, saying airstrikes against Islamic State will continue.
Iraq had previously announced launching airstrikes against IS locations in Syria. This came after Abadi said security troops will follow IS militants in the whole region, not only in Iraq.
The Iraqi-Syrian borders are under the control of joint troops of military and border guards.
Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.
Thousands of Islamic State militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.