IRAQI ARMY, VOLUNTEER FORCES RECAPTURE NORTHERN VILLAGE FROM ISIL

Iraqi volunteer forces supporting the government forces in the battle against the ISIL, stand next to their unit's flag in the village of Albu Ajil, east of the northern city of Tikrit, on March 8, 2015, during a military operation to regain control of the Tikrit area. (AFP photo) — Iraqi volunteer forces supporting the government forces in the battle against the ISIL, stand next to their unit’s flag in the village of Albu Ajil, east of the northern city of Tikrit, on March 8, 2015, during a military operation to regain control of the Tikrit area. (Press TV/AFP photo)

Baghdad, 18 Jumadil Awwal 1436/9 March 2015 (MINA)– Iraqi army and volunteer forces have managed to fully liberate the village of Albu Ajil in the troubled northern province of Salahuddin from the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group.

On Sunday, the forces marched into the village, located east of the militant-held strategic city of Tikrit, which is situated 140 kilometers (86 miles) northwest of the capital, Baghdad, and wrested full control over the entire village, Iraq’s al-Forat satellite TV network reported.

The Shia fighters chanted anti-ISIL slogans, and hoisted the national Iraqi flag in the center of Albu Ajil, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Meanwhile, the forces are heading toward al-Alam, also in Salahuddin Province, and would gain full control of the town within the next few hours.

There are reports that tens of ISIL members have fled across the river near the town to escape imminent fierce clashes with Iraqi government forces.

Earlier in the day, Iraqi forces liberated the town of Qaryat al-Rashad, located roughly 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Baghdad, following intense exchanges of fire with ISIL Takfiris.

The ISIL militants have suffered great losses since the Iraqi army launched its operation to free the strategic city of Tikrit, located 140 km (86 kilometers) northwest of Baghdad, on March 2.

Iraqi soldiers, backed by volunteer fighters, retook an airport in the town of al-Dour, located more than 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Baghdad, on Friday.

ISIL started its campaign of terror in Iraq in early June 2014. The heavily armed terrorists took control of Mosul before sweeping through parts of the country’s Sunni Arab heartland.

Iraqi soldiers, police units, Kurdish forces, Shia volunteers and Sunni tribesmen are engaged in battles with the terrorists to drive them back from some areas they have under control. (T/P010/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)