Hashd al-Shaabi clash with IS on Syria-Iraq border, kill 10 militants

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Hashd al-Shaabi forces on Saturday said they thwarted an Islamic State (IS) attack near the Iraq-Syria border, killing 10 militants.

The Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), released a statement confirming the clashes.

“Troops of the first and 13^th brigades confronted on Saturday an attack by IS militants near the Iraqi-Syrian borders,” the statement read.

“Ten IS members were killed, while a vehicle was burnt as the troops foiled the attack,” the report added.

The PMF is an alliance of over 60 mostly Shia militias.

The troops are recognized by the Iraqi government as a national force under the Prime Minister’s command.

In May, Hadi al-Amiri, the head of the Badr Organization which works under the umbrella of the Hashd al-Shaabi, said the Shia forces reached the border of Iraq and Syria.

According to PMF officials, the purpose of expanding control close to the Syrian border was to “prevent infiltration of IS militants from Syria to Iraq.”

The PMF troops had previously liberated the remaining villages in the al-Baaj and Qairawan area — a primary IS bastion which linked Tal Afar town to the Syrian borders.

The Shia militia has played an active role in the Iraqi government’s battle against IS.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has even promised to increase the group’s budget and keep them for “several years.”

With Mosul now freed from the extremist group, Iraqi forces are turning their attention to the remaining areas under IS control.

Tal Afar and Hawija are two cities Iraqi security forces plan to liberate next.