ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi officials say they have reinforced troops based at Camp Speicher airbase, north of the battle-scarred city of Baiji, in preparation for a large offensive on the refinery town where fierce fighting against the Islamic State, or ISIS, has raged since last June.
Baiji Mayor Muhammad Mahmoud told Rudaw on Tuesday the Iraqi army had deployed extra personnel and ammunition to the airfield ahead of the planned assault.
Iraq’s security forces and army have tried to push militants back Baiji, home of the country’s largest oil refinery which ISIS frequently has attacked.
“The army is preparing to retake the reminder of the city from militants in the final push,” the mayor said, adding that sporadic clashes continue in and around the refinery that is still partially surrounded by the militants.
The mayor said at least one district, Al-Bojaradian, was retaken from the militants recently.
Iraqi forces have been locked in a 14-month battle with ISIS in the city which also has a large power plant. Control of districts in the city has changed hands many times in the course of the conflict.
