PMUs liberate Beyoot al-Teen village, western Badush, kill 5 IS militants
Al-Hashd al-Shaabi forces.
Mosul (IraqiNews.com) Paramilitary troops have declared killing five Islamic State militants on Wednesday during clashes that occurred in Beyoot al-Teen, west of Badush village, located western Mosul.
In a statement, al-Hashd al-Shaabi troops (Public Mobilization Units) said the troops were able to kill five IS members “during direct confrontations in Beyoot al-Teen village, west of Badush.”
The statement also announced liberating the village, which is adjacent to Al-Sabouniya in the west of Mosul.
Iraqi government forces, along with PMUs and a U.S.-led coalition, have entered a fifth month of operations to drive IS out of western Mosul. Eastern Mosul was recaptured from IS in January, after a US-backed offensive was launched in October. Generals say they recaptured at least 50 percent of the western side.
Battles in the west are believed to be much more difficult due to the density of residential areas and the high number of civilians
Retaking Mosul could ruin the Islamic State’s self-styled “Islamic Caliphate” declared in 2014 when the group occupied several parts of the country.
The troops are considered one of the largest militias in Iraq. It was established in 2014 by a fatwa (religious edict) to fight IS.
In late 2016, the Iraqi parliament recognized the militia as a national armed force.