“Today we want to speak loud and clear that PMU is actively involved in Tal Afar military operations and will participate in all areas, where operations are taking place,” Ahmed al-Asadi, Spokesman for the volunteer forces, commonly known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha’abi, told reporters during a news conference in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad on Monday.
Asadi also described the participation of Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters in the upcoming battle for Tal Afar, located 63 kilometers west of Mosul, as “essential”, stating, “Our forces will participate actively in the liberation of Tal Afar and from all sides.”
The senior Hashd al-Sha’abi official went on to say that commanders of the pro-government force have already held detailed meetings with their counterparts in the Iraqi army, and exchanged viewpoints concerning the plan for the liberation of Tal Afar.
“We have set an initial date and time for these operations, which will be announced at the zero hour by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi once all involved units are properly prepared,” Asadi pointed out.
The remarks came on the same day that Lieutenant Faraj Hamed of Hashd al-Sha’abi said Abbas Brigade, Ali Akbar Brigade, Badr Organization, Imam Ali Brigade, Imam Hussein Brigade, and Hezbollah Battalions will participate in the fight to dislodge ISIS terrorist group from Tal Afar.
Speaking at a youth meeting on July 29, Abadi said Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters would take part in the offensive to win back Tal Afar.
He said the army and security commanders had devised a plan to dislodge ISIS from Tal Afar, which required the participation of security personnel as well as Hashd al-Sha’abi and tribal fighters.
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14 August 2017 - 14:00
News ID: 848201
(AhlulBayt News Agency) - A high-ranking official of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) says the pro-government fighters will participate actively alongside security forces in the operations to liberate the northern city of Tal Afar from Takfiri ISIS terrorists.
