Security forces advance against IS in Iraq

Baghdad, January 1: Iraqi security forces on Thursday recaptured some villages in northern and north central Iraq from the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group and repelled their attacks in western parts of the country, security sources said.

In Nineveh province, Iraqi security forces and Kurdish forces, known as Peshmerga, backed by allied Sunni tribesmen, freed four villages near the town of Makhmour in southeast of the provincial capital city Mosul, an official from the Iraqi defence ministry told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The battles near Makhmour are part of the troops’ major offensive Wednesday, which was supported in the air by the Iraqi and US–led coalition aircraft, the source said.

In Salahudin province, the security forces, backed by Shia militiamen and allied Sunni tribesmen, freed three villages near the town of Mu’tasim. (IANS)