ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Iranian-backed Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi declared it freed eight villages and residential complexes from ISIS and killed more than 40 militants in Shingal region on Sunday. The Hashd al-Shaabi announced in a statement that on the 10th day of a wide-scale military offensive to reclaim the ISIS-held town of Qairawan, they brought under control 10 villages, including Sari Auwsit, Niliya, Misbas, and Sada Zaubaa, in southern Qairawan. And from the northern side, the statement detailed, Tal Qasab, Ain Ghazal, Ain Fathi, and Aziz, as well as a complex near Mount Shingal were also brought under their control. Qairawan is located about 20km southeast of Sinjar town. In the course of the offensive to reclaim these areas, 41 ISIS militants were killed, it added. The state-backed group continued their newest offensive for a 10th day in a row. They are working to recapture the remaining areas still under control of the extremist group near the Syrian border. The main objective for the newest offensive is Qairawan and Baa’j, located west of Mosul and close to the Syrian border, commander of the Hashd al-Shaabi Mahdi al-Muhandis said on Friday. Last week they declared they had taken control of another four villages around the besieged town of Qairawan, including Sarai Garaj, Talzananir, Talzia, and Talbashuk. There are 13 villages and complexes in Qairawan town in the Shingal region. The area falls under the disputed zones claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad and subject to Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution. The Hashd aims to control all of them, something Kurdish leaders, most notably President Masoud Barzani, has opposed. Hadi Amiri, leader of the Badr Organization, an influential force within the Hashd, has said that their advances would continue. Rudaw has learned that the Hashd has taken control of nearly 50 villages and complexes in the Shingal area.
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