Countdown starts for Iraq operation

Iraqi forces have amassed near the Turkmen town of Amerli, north of Baghdad, to launch a military operation against the siege of the town by ISIL terrorists.

On Wednesday, Iraqi troops were preparing for an operation to break the siege of the Shia town in Salahuddin province.

Thousands of Shia fighters also gathered in Tuz Khurmatu, some 25 kilometers (15 miles) northeast of the town, to help with the operation.

Iraqi security forces were also mobilizing in Hamrin Mountains, located to the south of Amerli, said an army lieutenant general.

Iraqi planes, which have been targeting the Takfiris’ positions there, launched at least nine strikes in the area on Tuesday, an army officer said.

Meanwhile, Nickolay Mladenov, the United Nations envoy in Iraq called for urgent help, saying the residents were facing a “possible massacre” should the terrorists overrun the town.

Iraq has been fighting the ISIL terrorists since they took control of Mosul on June 10. The takeover was followed by the fall of the city of Tikrit, located 140 kilometers (87 miles) northwest of the capital Baghdad. The control of Tikrit was later retaken by the Iraqi army.

The ISIL terrorists have been committing heinous crimes in the captured areas, including the mass execution of civilians and Iraqi security forces.

Soldiers of the Iraqi army have been engaged in heavy fighting with the militants on different fronts and have so far been able to push back militants in several areas.

NT/MAM/MHB