A six-week siege imposed by the Islamic State group on the northern
Iraqi town of Amirli was broken on Sunday, according to a spokesman for
the Iraqi military.
Lt. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi announced that Iraqi forces along with Shiite militiamen started at dawn and the forces entered the town shortly after midday.
Speaking live on state TV, al-Moussawi said the battles are "still continuing as our forces are advancing forward.''
This follows U.S. airstrikes against the Sunni militants' positions and humanitarian aid drops on Amirli conducted by a number of international air forces, as confirmed by the UK Defence Secretary on Sunday morning.
Residents succeeded in fending off the initial attack in June, but Amirli has been surrounded by the militants since mid-July.
Many residents said the Iraqi military's efforts to fly in food, water and other aid had not been enough, as they endured the oppressive August heat with virtually no electricity or running water.
Lt. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi announced that Iraqi forces along with Shiite militiamen started at dawn and the forces entered the town shortly after midday.
Speaking live on state TV, al-Moussawi said the battles are "still continuing as our forces are advancing forward.''
This follows U.S. airstrikes against the Sunni militants' positions and humanitarian aid drops on Amirli conducted by a number of international air forces, as confirmed by the UK Defence Secretary on Sunday morning.
Residents succeeded in fending off the initial attack in June, but Amirli has been surrounded by the militants since mid-July.
Many residents said the Iraqi military's efforts to fly in food, water and other aid had not been enough, as they endured the oppressive August heat with virtually no electricity or running water.
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