Al-Hashd al-Shaabi destroys IS mortar detachment southwest of Mosul
Member of the Islamic State group prepares a mortar shell attack.
Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Al-Hashd al-Shaabi troops destroyed on Tuesday Islamic State’s mortar detachment, southwest of Mosul.
“The 33rd brigade of the troops were able to destroy a mortar detachment of IS in Mosul desert,” spokesperson of al-Hashd al-Shaabi said on Tuesday.
The spokesperson added that IS was going to target the troops through the detachment, saying that the troops “targeted it and destroyed their weapons after hours of watching them.”
Mosul is the Islamic State’s last stronghold in Iraq. Eastern Mosul was recaptured from IS in January, after a US-backed offensive was launched in October. A new offensive started in February to retake the west.
Al-Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which consists of 66 militia groups, is considered one of the largest militias in Iraq. It was established in 2014 by a fatwa (religious edict) to fight the Islamic State.
In late 2016, the Iraqi parliament recognized the militia as a national armed force.