PMF reach Syrian border to take IS out of al-Baaj, cut supply line

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), claim to have finally reached the Syrian border after liberating the town of Qahtaniya on Sunday.

In what they described as a “miracle of Ramadan” in a statement on their official website, the PMF announced they reached the village of Jaris, roughly one kilometer from the Syrian border.

The statement added they would be launching a new offensive to retake villages west of Qahtaniya and Mount Sinjar (Shingal) and contain the fight to Syria.

According to Shia lawmaker Karim al-Nouri, the PMF seek to drive Islamic State (IS) militants out of the strategic city of al-Baaj, west of Mosul.

“Baaj is a strategic town for [IS] as it is the last supply line linking them with Syria,” said Sheikh Sami al-Masoudi, a PMF leader.

Baaj is located 30 kilometers close to the south of Shingal and 40 kilometers from the Syrian border.

The PMF has previously said it is ready to move inside Syrian territories to continue the fight against the insurgent group but did signal they would wait for the Iraqi government’s approval.

Iraqi Forces launched a wide-scale offensive to recapture Mosul and surrounding areas in the Nineveh Province from IS last October.

Some officials anticipate liberating Mosul before the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany