Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Isis surrenders Iraqi hideout of leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Source: The Guardian
Isis surrenders Iraqi hideout of leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Fall of key town Baaj to Shia forces leaves pocket of west Mosul
and Bukamal as only urban centres in Iraq with big Isis presence
Martin Chulov Middle East correspondent
Sunday 4 June 2017 19.26 BST
Islamic State has surrendered the key town of Baaj in north-west Iraq, a known hideout of the terrorist group’s leader which had been under Islamist militants’ control throughout 14 years of war and insurgency.
The few remaining Isis fighters fled the town on Saturday night, allowing Shia militia forces to enter unopposed.
A statement from the Popular Mobilisation Front, an umbrella organisation for pro-government paramilitaries that is dominated by Iran-backed Shia militias, announced the “total liberation” of the Baaj district and declared: “The Iraqi flag has been hoisted above its buildings.”
Throughout Sunday, the Front’s fighters raised Iraqi flags and banners where Isis flags had flown since mid-2014, securing a victory that resonates far beyond the formerly untamed corner of north-west Iraq.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Fall of key town Baaj to Shia forces leaves pocket of west Mosul
and Bukamal as only urban centres in Iraq with big Isis presence
Martin Chulov Middle East correspondent
Sunday 4 June 2017 19.26 BST
Islamic State has surrendered the key town of Baaj in north-west Iraq, a known hideout of the terrorist group’s leader which had been under Islamist militants’ control throughout 14 years of war and insurgency.
The few remaining Isis fighters fled the town on Saturday night, allowing Shia militia forces to enter unopposed.
A statement from the Popular Mobilisation Front, an umbrella organisation for pro-government paramilitaries that is dominated by Iran-backed Shia militias, announced the “total liberation” of the Baaj district and declared: “The Iraqi flag has been hoisted above its buildings.”
Throughout Sunday, the Front’s fighters raised Iraqi flags and banners where Isis flags had flown since mid-2014, securing a victory that resonates far beyond the formerly untamed corner of north-west Iraq.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/04/iraqi-forces-retake-key-town-of-baaj-from-isis
