(VOVWORLD) - Iraqi troops liberated a region from Islamic State in southwest of Kirkuk on Friday, the first day of their second-phase operation against the IS.
 Iraqi troops enter Tal Afar during their opeartion against the IS (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Chief of Federal Police said the government military and soldiers of the mainly Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi forces gained control of a 70 km2 area of western Hawija, liberated 23 villages and surrounding areas. The same day, Iraqi air force killed 96 IS millitants and destroyed 13 vehicles during their air strikes in Hawija.