Iraqi security forces advance toward southeast of Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi forces retook the town of Makhul in northern Tikrit from the Islamic State (IS), the Iraqi army announced on Saturday.

The army revealed the liberation of Makhul town by stating that they have raised the flag of Iraq in the Mayor’s Building previously under the control of IS.

Iraqi security forces, including the army, police, counter-terrorism, and Shia militia Hashd al-Shaabi had liberated the town in February 2016 but IS regained control after an offensive.

On June 18, the Defense Minister of Iraq Khalid al-Obeidi stated that military operations to liberate areas from IS in Salahaddin Province, southern Mosul, and northern Baghdad had already started and will continue.

Moreover, Iraqi counter-terrorism forces have freed two villages in the north of Salahaddin and are moving toward the town of al-Shirqat, southeast of Mosul.

According to an Iraqi security official, the two villages liberated are Albu Amera and Ain al-Baiza.

Offensives have begun to focus on the southeast of Mosul, especially after security forces controlled Fallujah, a key IS city, located in the west of Baghdad.

Following the liberation of Fallujah, the Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi and Obeidi stated that Mosul will be the next target.

On June 2014, IS took control of Mosul, and large swaths of territory in the north of Iraq stretching from Nineveh, Salahaddin, Diyala and Anbar Provinces.

Recently, US Special Presidential Envoy to Counter IS Brett McGurk stated that the insurgents had lost 50 percent of territory in Iraq.

He added that the group's influence continues to shrink in the country.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany