Iraqi forces seize four villages from ISIL militants

Iraqi government forces retook four villages on Oct. 26 near a mountain ridge overlooking supply lines, security officials said, in a campaign which has struggled to make advances against the Sunni Islamist insurgents.

Iraqi security forces backed by Shiite militias gained some momentum on Oct. 25 in their bid to loosen the grip of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which controls large swathes of territory in the north and west of the country.

After months of fighting they drove ISIL militants out of Jurf al-Sakhar, just south of Baghdad, while Kurdish fighters regained control over the town of Zumar in the north.

Sunni insurgents have been moving fighters, weapons and supplies from western Iraq through secret desert tunnels to Jurf al-Sakhar, Iraqi officials have said. Now it appears government forces may be able to disrupt that network.

Iraqi security forces backed by Shiite militias launched an assault on Oct. 25 on areas around the Himreen mountains, a hotbed of militant activity 100 kilometers south of the oil city of Kirkuk.

On Oct. 26 they seized control of four villages in the area, security officials said, adding that it was very difficult to accelerate efforts to capture more territory because of roadside bombs and booby-trapped houses.

"We have decided to make slow advances. We hold the ground, set up watch towers, clear the explosives and build sand barriers to prevent the armed men from returning," army major Ahmed Nu'aman told Reuters by telephone.
    
Protracted fighting

The operation is designed to isolate ISIL fighters controlling the towns of Jalawla and Saadiya and cut off the areas they seized northeast of the city of Baquba, which is held by Iraqi security...