Iraqi Army, PMU Capture Strategic Mishak Town And 34 Villages In Hawija Area (Maps, Photos)

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On Saturday, the Iraqi Army and the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) captured the strategic Misḩak town southwest of Hawija city, according to the PMU media wing.

The PMU revealed that Mishak town was the main control and command center of ISIS units in the Hawija area.

Moreover, the PMU media wing announced that Iraqi government forces captured the following 34 villages south and west of Hawija on Saturday:

Al-Ramel, Rafia’, al-Ahnaf, al-Tarkiah, Arsa, al-Mutuakylia, Tal al-Lahm, al-Jaffaryia, al-Sa’adyia, Kysumah, Tal al-Haw, al-Hamadanyia, al-Ayun, Tolo Thyab, al-Shantah, al-Waridyia, al-Sabti, Nuykeet, al-Hawa’aij al-Awliah, al-Hawa’aij al-Suflah, Tal al-Dahab al-Awliah, Tal al-Dahab al-Suflah, al-Swid, al-Mukhalet, Tal Abed, Tal Sa’aed, al-Busakhrah, Hamad al-Ali, al-Sulman, Jafar al-Ayun, al-Mansyah, Akrabah, al-Jamal, al-Hamad.

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The PMU media wing also announced that the army and the PMU fully captured the Hamrin hills and over 75% of the Kirkuk-Tikrit highway.

During its advance government forces killed dozens of ISIS fighters, destroyed several VBIEDs and captured 2 VBIEDs, according to the source.

Meanwhile, the PMU intelligence revealed that the majority of ISIS fighters including the foreign fighters are now hiding inside Hawija town. According the PMU intelligence, ISIS fighters have fortified their position inside the town to defend it.

Government forces are now in only 13km south from Hawija. It’s believed that they will work to isolate the town from the remaining ISIS-held area before storming it.