ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi security forces have repelled multiple Islamic State offensives in Baiji and gained control over 90 percent of the city, an Iraqi security official claimed Tuesday.
Faleh al-Khazali, a Shiite militia commander in the Hashd al-Shaabi movement, in a press statement claimed that Hashd al-Shaabi in all fronts have been successful in fighting ISIS. He added that the Shiite militants in the last three days destroyed some 60 ISIS vehicles in Baiji rigged with explosives.
He also claimed that the Baiji oil refinery is totally controlled by Iraqi forces.
Iraqi forces frequently claim success in Baiji, but the exact situation on the ground is unclear, as ISIS offensives and seizures in the important refinery city are also frequently reported.
Last week Baiji Mayor Mohammad Mahmoud told Rudaw that Iraqi officials have reinforced troops based at Camp Speicher airbase, north of the battle-scarred city of Baiji, in preparation for a large offensive on the town where fierce fighting against ISIS has raged since last June.
According to Mahmoud, the Iraqi army deployed extra personnel and ammunition to the airfield ahead of the planned assault.
On Monday, Iraq’s defense ministry also announced that its jet fighters had carried out intense bombing campaigns against ISIS on several fronts, including Baiji, killing dozens of militants.
On June 7, Hashd al-Shaabi militants managed to enter Baiji, located in Iraq’s Salahadin province, but they failed to retake control of all parts of the town.
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