KIRKUK, Kurdistan Region-- The Shiite militia known as the Hashd al-Shaabi has not ruled out taking part in the looming offensive to retake ISIS-held Hawija despite objections from Sunni leaders in the area who fear religious tensions to escalate if Shiite troops enter the city.
"Those who are wanted for their crimes and collaboration with the ISIS and have murdered our sons, they are those who don't want Hashd al-Shaabi to join the fight," said Zaki Hussein, commander of Shiite 16th brigade in Kirkuk.
"But their wish will not come true," he added.
US defence officials said Monday that coalition forces will not support Hashd al-Shaabi in Mosul operation or other areas in Nineveh Plains.
Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told Rudaw that US-led coalition forces had "no coordination" with the Shiite militia and will not provide support for their troops.
US officials have in the past accused Iran of funding Shiite militias in Iraq including Hashd al Shaabi which Washington says is directed by Iran's powerful revolutionary guards known as Quds forces which is in US terror list.
With just over 400,000 inhabitants, predominantly Sunni Arabs, Hawija district has been at the center of insurgency since 2004.
When the Iraqi army withdrew from the area in June 2014, tribal fighters affiliated with the ISIS took charge of the city.
Iraqi forces have pushed back the militants in several areas near Hawija which is regarded a strategic city at the crossroads between Kirkuk and Nineveh provinces.
Hwija's northern borders and its four city gates have been sieged by Peshmerga forces since August this year.
Kurdish security officials have said the liberation of Hawija is crucial for the security of Kirkuk city which has seen 8 deadly bombings over the past year claimed by ISIS militants.
Kurdish sources say that Peshmerga forces are able to drive out the militants from the city in collaboration with the Iraqi army and coalition air support.
"We are ready to take control of Hawija and we have our own plans for it," said Kamal Kirkuki, commander of Peshmerga forces in the area and added that they await orders from Erbil for the operation to begin.
Several mosques and Shiite mourning centres in Kirkuk have been bombed by militants who still pose a threat inside the oil rich city.
"If Hawija is liberated, we will be relieved," said a local shopkeeper in Kirkuk downtown.
"Everybody knows that the suicide bombers come mainly from Hawija," he added.
