Shia militia to administer Iraq border areas with Syria

By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD (AA) – The pro-government Hashd al-Shaabi militia will administer Iraq's border areas with Syria, according to an Iraqi military officer.

"The Hashd al-Shaabi forces have completed their operations in western Mosul after recapturing all villages near border with Syria," army captain Jabbar Hasan told Anadolu Agency on Saturday.

"The forces will remain in control of these areas until they hand them over to the army and police forces," he said.

As for a planned operation to oust Daesh terrorist group from Tal Afar, west of Mosul, Hasan said the offensive will be launched "after all districts in western Mosul are recaptured".

"The decision not to involve the Hashd al-Shaabi forces in the battle is still in place," he said.

Incorporated into the Iraqi armed forces late last year, the Hashd al-Shaabi is a largely Shia fighting force drawn up in 2014 to fight the Daesh terrorist group.

Iraqi forces, backed by air cover from a U.S.-led coalition, are currently engaged in a widespread offensive to dislodge Daesh from Mosul, the terrorist group’s last stronghold in Iraq.