On Friday, the Iraqi Army and the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) captured 539 square kilometers in the Western Shirqat and Hawija areas south of Kirkuk city according to the PMU media wing. The Iraqi government forces also secured Makhmur – al-Mahmudiah road north of al-Zab river.
The PMU media wing announced that government forces captured the following villages and areas: the center of the Western Shirqat area, al-Khadra, Aziz Abd, Kudah Harah, al-Hadiqah, al-Jafaifah, Tal al-Farah, Khrib Shanat, al-Akrah, al-Harfushiah, Tal al-Hawa, Ghadier al-Shawk al-Awlah, Ghadier al-Shawk, al-Thaniyah, Saleh al-Yusef, al-Majirah, al-Talah, Wadi Kurd Kani, Khandaq Yassen, Mundiahnah al-Sharqiah, Mundiahnah al-Garbiah, Bash Teh, Bash Bnd, Karmsh Lasqah, Akleha, Asderah al-Awlah, Shnawah, Khrabah, Aseaw, al-Mahmudiah, Quber Said, Alhasej, Suderah al-Wustah and Suderah al-Awlah.
Government forces killed and injured dozens of ISIS fighters, and captured 3 VBIEDs of ISIS during its advance, according to the PMU media wing. Iraqi Air Force warplanes also destroyed several ISIS positions mainly in Western Shirqat.
So far, the army and the PMU have captured 60 villages out of 130 under ISIS control in Hawija and Western Shirqat. Iraqi sources claimed that government forces will open new fronts against ISIS in the Hawija area within the coming hours.
