Iraqi forces advance in Hawija as UN says over 70,000 civilians trapped by IS

Iraqi Forces captured an air base from the Islamic State (IS) near the city of Hawija on Monday, according to military officials.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Military officials say Iraqi forces captured an air base from the Islamic State (IS) near the city of Hawija on Monday, as the UN announced that up to 78,000 people could be trapped in the town.

The US-backed Iraqi troops, supported by the Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia and the Kurdish Peshmerga Forces, retook the strategic position as they continue to progress on the IS-held town.

However, Iraqi security officials say the militants prevent some residents from leaving, while others are afraid of escaping toward government forces because of the explosives that might have been laid by the extremist group around the city.

The Hawija operation was launched on Sep. 21 to dislodge the jihadist group from its last stronghold in northern Iraq, west of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

Iraqi army commanders said the Rashad air base, which is around 30 km (20 miles) south of Hawija, was used by the militants as a training camp and logistic base, Reuters reported.

IS fighters took over the town of Hawija in 2014 after the Iraqi army collapsed.

“After quick rehabilitation works, the air base will play a key role for Iraqi forces by allowing helicopters to transport soldiers and arms in any future operation to maintain security in the north,” said Army Lieutenant Colonel Salih Yaseen.

“The air base will help to put an end to the terrorists’ pockets hiding in mountainous areas near Kirkuk and remove any possible threat to the energy facilities and oilfields.”

 

The jihadist group on Monday set fire to three oil wells near Hawija to slow the advance of US-backed Iraqi forces.

Iraqi security forces were using bulldozers to control the fires started by the extremist group early Saturday to obstruct the advance of Iraqi and Shia forces toward Hawija, according to military officials.

As security forces push to recapture the town, thousands of Iraqis have been fleeing IS-controlled areas in the city to the safety of the Kurdistan Region. UN humanitarian spokesman Jens Laerke said the number of people who have fled the fighting reached 12,500 this week, but that up to 78,000 remain trapped.

“We remain concerned for the lives and well-being of these vulnerable civilians and remind those doing the fighting that civilians must be protected at all times and allowed to safely leave Hawija,” Laerke said.

The acceptance of refugees highlights the ongoing cooperation between Peshmerga and Iraqi forces amid increasing tensions between Erbil and Baghdad following the landmark Sep. 25 independence referendum.

Laerke said more people were expected to flee the fighting in areas around Hawija in the next 24 to 48 hours as security forces push into more densely populated areas.

 

Editing by Ava Homa