Iraq’s military and allied militias launched an attack Tuesday on Shirqat, an Islamic State-held town considered one of the gateways to the terror group’s Iraqi stronghold Mosul, officials said.
(WSJ)- Clearing the town of militants would help the troops march closer to Mosul, some 60 miles away and the last major city held by Islamic State and its self-declared capital in the country, which American and Iraqi officials say will be liberated in a planned joint offensive before the end of the year.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of the operation and two smaller offensives in western Iraq in a televised address from New York, where he is holding meetings with world leaders during the United Nations General Assembly.
Iraqi officials said a combination of Iraqi military, police and U.S. coalition air support began the assault on Shirqat at dawn, securing five villages on the outskirts within hours.
Iraq’s influential Shiite Muslim militias said they had also advanced separately on the town from the south.
(Photo: AP/Alice Martins)